The Moving Picture Weekly (1917-1919)

The Moving Picture Weekly A MAGAZINE FOR MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS Published Weekly by the MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY PUB. CO. 1600 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY Paul Gulick, Editor. Tabkington Baker, Bus. Mgr. (Copyright, 1920, Universal Film Mfg. Co. All Rights Reserved.) Vol. 9. JANUARY 24, 1920 No. 23 Will You Help, Mr. Exhibitor 'J'HE Secretary of the Interior and and through him the United States Government, has paid a wonderful complement to the Motion Picture Industry. In fact the compliment is the highest that has ever been paid to this, or any other industry. Franklin K. Lane last Sunday at the Waldorf-Astoria told a representative body of producers, exhibitors, distributors, accessory men and advertising men that the motion picture is the greatest potential medium by which a projected campaign for Americanism could be carried to a successful conclusion in this country. He didn't say "perhaps" or "maybe" or "if you want to" or "with this exception." He made no qualification and no exception. And he said it in dead earnest, and with admirably weighed words. And he said it with supreme conviction. Just stop for a moment, Mr. Exhibitor, and think what it means for a member of the cabinet, and advisor of the president, an integral part of the Administration, a man who is recognized as one of the keenest thinkers in Washington and most level headed men in the United States to say such a thing. It means that we have at last reached a position that none of us five years ago ever hoped we would occupy. It means that our war work and the results that were then obtained registered for what they were worth. It is true that the secretary coupled this statement of fact with a request for more service, but that should make us all the more ready to serve while it does not in any way alter the facts. In substance Secretary Lane told you and me that the picture industry had it in its power to carry the message of Americanism to more people and in a more effective way than any other medium. And then he said, "Will you?" and that is what the Moving Picture Weekly asks you, Mr. Exhibitor, "will you?" Secretary Lane got a rousing "Yes" from all that composite audience which had sat spellbound by his eloquence. And that's just what you are going to say, too, when the time comes for you to do your part. And here is what your part is to be. It has not all been thought out yet and it is not going to be a one time, one day or one week or one month proposition. The plan, when it is announced, will embody a permanent campaign for real honest to goodness Americanism, practical patriotism and against the Bolshevik, the red — the pessimist, the agitator and the loafer. The plan will embrace them all and more; it will be constructive and destructive. It is not going to be limited to carrying the message to the foreign born! There are thousands and thousands who have lived in this country all their lives who need the message even more than the foreign born. From the patriotic standpoint they need to be born again. The field is tremendous; the need is appalling and worthy of every effort; the means are at our disposal, as the secretary said. In a short time you will be told what you can do to help. In the meantime, what are you going to do to celebrate Lincoln's Birthday, February 12th? OUR OWN FILM MARKET ^ YOUNG man, who has something to do with your receiving the Weekly wrote a "sketch" as he called it. Fearing that it might fall by the wayside and its beauties never see the light of print he asked Mr. R. H. Cochrane to use his influence with the editor to have it printed. In the sin cere hope that our acquiescense does not keep Mr. Cochrane busy, we present a UNIVERSAL MELODRAMA By William Ornstein. T'was said that the "Great Radium Mystery" had lots of "Ambition" so "The Triflers" went "Home" to "The Dragon's Net" and found that the "Loot" which they took from "Lasca" had disappeared. They went to "The Brother of the Rich" and found that "The Silk Lined Burglar" had become an "Exquisite Thief." "The Wildcat of Paris" who was called "The Wicked Darling" told "The Prince of Avenue A" that the "Gun Fighting Gentleman" had become "The Peddler of Lies." "The Brute Breaker" who was "Under Suspicion" had ended "The Counterfeit Trail" by "The Pointing Finger." "Elmo the Fearless" haa "Paid in Advance" when "The Lion Man" had watched "The Sundown Trail." "The Moon Riders" hearing that "The Great Air Robbery" was a success praved to their king, "Elmo the Mighty." "The Day She Paid" her "Right to Happiness" nobody could see the finish but "Blind Husbands." AN INSPIRATION FROM A BLOTTER Oh! Have you seen Priscilla Dean, The Universal Star? A Picture queen Upon the Screen Renowned both near and far. With winsome grace A loving face For camera, screen or fixtures She wins all hearts And plays her parts In Universal Pictures. CELEBRATE LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY