Moving Picture World (May 1919)

May 3, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 647 SELECT CHIEFS HOLD CONVENTION Hotel Astor Scene of Conclave of Branch Managers and Home Officials Who Outline Vigorous Year's Campaign and Wedge In Attractive Social Program RIGHT on the heels of Lewis J. Selznick's acquisition of 100 per cent. control of Select Pictures, and the removal of the entire Selznick Pictures forces from their West Coast studios, under Myron Selznick, came the week's convention of Select Pictures Corporation branch managers and home officials at the Hotel Astor, beginning Monday, April 21. All of which, added to the many actual social and business happenings of the convention, points to the fact that Select is selecting the big things at which to drive during the coming year. The big announcements at the close of Tuesday's session were those made by Lewis J. Selznick when he stated that Sam E. Morris is to be Select's general manager, succeeding Arthur S. Kane, resigned, and that Charles Rogers will be director of sales, a new and important office in the organization. There will be no delay in the assumption by these two officials of their new duties. They will don the harness of their offices on April 28. Promotion from Ranks Select Policy. In connection with his announcement Mr. Selznick made the statement that promotion from the ranks will be the policy of his organization in the future. He pointed out the importance which he attaches to the progressive advancement of live members of Select. "A man," he said, "cannot stand still. He must either go forward or go backward. The man who retrogrades naturally passes out of sight. The man who shows himself capable of advance will be given opportunities. I want to make it plain that there is no limit to the height to which a man working for Select can raise himself if he refuses to rest contented at each level of his attainment." As early as last Monday the Select managers began to arrive in New York, and by Monday morning all were on hand. The first informal meeting was held in Select's home office at 729 Seventh avenue, where the visiting managers took turns in wringing Lewis J. Selznick's hand, in congratulation on his acquisition of complete control of Select. Starting of? with a handshaking fest, the day wound up with a cabaret party at Reisenweber's, while wedged in between were a lunch, a dinner and a theatre party at the Criterion, where "Three Wise Fools" entertained. Business Talk on Tuesday. Tuesday's session of the convention opened in the College Room of the Astor at 10 A. M. It was a purely business meeting, and the discussion centered about salesmanship and plans for the balance of the season. In addition to the branch managers, the meeting was attended by Joe Unger, general manager of Select's Canadian branch. Mr. O'Laughlin, of the Montreal branch ; Phil Selznick, of Cleveland; Dave Selznick, of Boston ; assistant general manager, J. J. Rotchford ; Bedell, of Chicago ; Safier, of Boston ; purchasing agent, C. C. Ryan; Walter J. Porgis, E. R. Durham, B. L. Faralla, G. M. Sheppard, treasurer, Morris Kahn ; general manager, Arthur S. Kane ; Lester Adler, and publicity manager, Vivian M. Moses. Salesmanship was the topic at the third day's session of the conference. The meeting opened with a request for a general discussion of sales policy and the method of interesting the disinterested exhibitor. A number of valuable facts were set forth by the various managers relative to the methods employed in their respective offices. Vigorous and Thorough Discussion. Mr. Kane asked for opinions regarding the policy of various managers, which resulted in a frank and open discussion. Matters of Select policy, service and pictures were talked about thoroughly. At 1 :30 P. M. tlie session adjourned. After a group picture on the roof of the Astor, luncheon was indulged in until Lewris J. Selznick. President of Select Pictures. 3 o'clock, when the afternoon meeting took up the subjects of the morning conclave. The acquisition of Olive Thomas and Eugene O'Brien as Selznick stars and the distribution of their features through Select gave rise to an enthusiastic outline of a vigorous campaign during the course of the convention. Wednesday night the party saw "Lightnin'" at the Gaiety, which was followed by an after-theatre party at the Ziegfeld Frolic. Sophie Tucker Entertains. Sophie Tucker, the attraction at Reisenweber's on Monday night, sang a few of her best songs for the Select party and made a number of complimentary remarks about Olive Thomas, Eugene O'Brien, Lewis J. and Myron Selznick. Those in the party included the following Select branch managers : Henry Siegel, New York; M. Milder, Philadelphia; Charles R. Rogers, Boston; S. S. Webster, Buffalo; V. P. Whitaker, Washington; Leo F. Levison, Pittsburgh ; Sam E. Alorris, Cleveland ; Harry H. Hicks, Cincinnati; James O. Kent, Detroit; Fred C. Aiken, Chicago; J. C. Ragland, St. Louis; C. W. Taylor, Omaha; A. H. McLaughlin, Kansas City; H. A. Rathner, Minneapolis; T. O. Tattle, Atlanta; IL G. Till, New Orleans; C. C. Ezell, Dallas; H. E. Lotz, Los Angeles; H. L. Knappen, San Francisco, and Albert W. Eden, Seattle. The others were Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Blank, of Des Moines; Harry Rapf, Mrs. Lewis J. Selznick, Mr. Finklestein, of St. Paul and Minneapolis; assistant branch manager Bedell, and Mrs. Bedell, of Chicago; Phil Selznick, Cleveland, salesman ; D. J. Selznick, assistant branch manager, of Boston; Edith Koch, private secretary to Lewis J. Selznick; Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures ; David Selznick, secretary of Selznick Pictures, and Haward Selznick. Morris and Rogers Are from Rank*. Sam E. Morris and Charles Rogers, who were the center of Tuesday's big annotincements, both illustrate Mr. Selznick's contention that the best men rise from the ranks. A few years ago when Lewis J. Selznick was vice-president and general manager of World Film, Mr. Morris worked his way to the position of manager of World's Cleveland Exchange. Later when Afr. Selznick founded his own company, he installed Mr. Morris as treasurer of Selznick Enterprises. When Select was formed Mr. Morris was given the title of East Central general manager, with jurisdiction over Detroit, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Charles R. Rogers joined Select when it was founded in 1917, being appointed to the post of Buffalo branch manager. Shortly after, Buffalo became known as one of Select's leading exchanges. Mr. Rogers was then made New England manager, while now he is advanced to the new position of Director of Sales. Thursday morning was devoted to an exchange of opinions concerning the Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic. A short business session Thursday afternoon in the College Room of the .^stor closed the convention. Selznick Stars Travel to Dance. Olive Thomas and Eugene O'Brien, Selznick Pictures stars, accompanied by Mrs. Lewis J. Selznick, Myron Selznick, David Selznick. Charles R. Rogers, director of sales, and Morris Satier, of Select's Boston exchange, left New York Thursday afternoon for Providence to attend the moving picture ball in the Armory Thursday night. The members of the party were the guests of Governor Beeknian, of Rhode Island. The proceeds of the ball will be given to the Fund for the Fatherless Children of France.