The Moving Picture Weekly (1916-1917)

■THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY 17 Three Letters to Carl Laemmle Praise Straight-From-The-Shoulder Talks Mr. Carl Laemmle, Universal Film Mfg. Co., New York City: Dear Mr. Laemmle — Your very cordial letter of the 4th inst. received. The reason I wrote as I did was because I feel that you need encouragement in the good work that you are doing through your "Straight-fromthe-Shoulder Talks," trying to impress upon the exhibitor that he is hurting his own business by imposing on his patrons. The moving picture theatre is receiving more money to-day for admission than ever before. This is almost true without exception owing to the increased cost of everything necessarj for his entertainment he is justly entitled to it, but at the same time it does not give him license to believe that his patrons are willing to pay this increased price and then sit for hours looking at pictures that have absolutely no merit. From a Small Town Mr. Carl Laemmle, President, Universal Film Co., New York City: Dear Sir — At this time I think that a letter from an exhibitor in a small town would be apropos in regard to the so-called feature program. I have been a constant reader of your "Straight from the Shoulder Talks," and a regular customer of the Universal for about two years, but have used features to a great extent much to my sorrow* I find that too many features kill not only the business for them, but also hurt the regular service inasmuch as I must get extra admission for my features, and in a town as small as Marion (2,500) there is a certain clientele who are good customers but feel that when they have paid an extra price for a show that they must lay off for several nights to make up for it. I am at this time, therefore, running a straight Universal program with the exception of the serial "Patria" and one or two of the big pictures such as "Ramona" and "Civilization," and find that my bank account is growing considerably. With my best wishes for the Universal and with sincere regret at the loss of Mr. Cropper from the Kansas City office, I am. Very truly vours, HARRY K. ROGERS, Mgr. Auditorium Theatre. Marion, Kansas. Upholding His Hands I would much rather see my theatre, if I operated one, closed several nights each week, and know that every picture shown was meritorious, rather than keep it open and run socalled features that discouraged attendance when the good ones are shown. To-day we sort of gamble, as it were, on every photoplay house we go into, and we are just as apt to come out of it dissatisfied and rather disgusted as we are to be real enthusiastic about the entertainment. [Read thess three letters carefully. They come from thoughtful Exhibitors and represent only a small part of the mail Mr, Laemmle receives each day in answer to his Straightfrom The Shoulder 7a//is.— Ed.] For that reason I honestly believe the high-grade program would be far better when used part of the time, than to attempt to force patrons to look at features that are lacking in proper setting and duplications of stories shown a number of times already. Am deeply interested in the success of the business, but must confess have grown quite weary at times. Your " Straight from the Shoulder Talks" are of great interest to me, and I believe you need the support of every one connected to help make it as interesting and attractive and ele ^ vating as is possible. You may use my letter if you wish, trusting that it may be of some small service in increasing interest in the above subject, which I consider one of the most important things of today. Cordially and sincerely, E. R. ANDERSON, Minusa Fine Products Co. St. Louis, Mo. Best Horse Sense Mr. Carl Laemmle, President, Universal Film Mfg. Co., New York City: Dear Sir — Just read your "Straightfrom-the-Shoulder Talk" in the last issue of the Weekly. It isn't very often I become overenthused over reading stuff in trade papers, but your analysis on the "Jackass Law" is positively the best plain-spoken horse sense thing I have read in years. I feel as though my arm were only long enough to take a great big shake on it, one of the calibre that makes you feel as though you meant it. If our Pa. Brothers still fear to whisper or think (which was evidently not provided for in the law), then surely they can at least feel way down in the bottom of their hearts that you are right, and be proud of you to have spoken the truth. Yours truly, OSCAR KORN, Mgr. The Grand. Bay City, Texas. Universal Director Ruth Ann Baldwin is holding a guessing contest over the title of her picture, "The Woman with the Parakeets." No one on the Universal lot seems to be quite sure what Parakeets are, and Director Baldwin is not telling. The story was written for her by Mrs. E. Magnus Ingleton.