Moving Picture World (Aug 1920)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 869 August 14, 1920 Banquet for New England Showmen Given by Nathan Gordon in Boston A BANQUET was given by Nathan H. Gordon, member of the board of auditors and executive committee of Associated First National Pictures, Inc., in addition to holding the franchise for Associated First National for the Boston territory, to more than one hundred independent exhibitors at the Boston City Club, on the evening of July 27. The gathering represented more than three hundred independently owned and operated theatres situated in all parts of New England. A number of women whose interests are involved were present and at times joined in the various discussions. The keynote of the event was an effort to bring independent exhibitors together in order that they might co-operatively adopt measures for the general preservation of individual and collective properties. Mr. Gordon was toastmaster for the occasion and surrounding him were Gerald Street, a Boston real estate operator and owner; Lee Friedman and Chandler M. Wood, Boston bankers ; Samuel Spring, of California; J. D. Williams, manager of Associated First National Pictures, Inc.; E. Mandelbaum, holder of the franchise for Associated First National Pictures for the Cleveland territory, and Lieut. James P. Anderson, general representative for the First National franchise. J. Muehlbaum, personal representative for Joseph M. Schenck, whose productions in which Norma and Constance Talmadge are starred are distributed through First National, was also present and took occasion to make the personal acquaintance of every exhibitor present. “The Father of Independents.” In every speech of the evening, tribute was paid to Mr. Gordon, who was termed “the father of us all,” by virtue of the fact that he had taken the initiative in behalf of independent exhibitor rights in New England. It was mutually agreed that the best argument in favor of the sub-franchising plan as outlined by Associated First National was the fact that Mr. Gordon, as the holder of the franchise for New England, had scored a personal success through his holding and was now willing to extend the privilege of the franchise to independent exhibitors, many of those at the dinner being lifelong friends. While generally looked upon as the toastmaster for the occasion, and being the sponsor for the banquet, Mr. Gordon declared Joseph Levenson, manager of the Boston Strand Theatre, to be the presiding officer. Mr. Levenson told the story of the organization of First National from the time it was first conceived. He traced First National up to the present time, when more than 2,500 exhibitors have applied for subfranchises with the organization. The Product As Promised. It was announced at the banquet that exhibitors granted franchises with Associated First National Pictures would be entitled to 6 Marshall Neilan productions, 2 James Oliver Curwoods, 6 Charles Rays, 16 Norma Talmadges, 12 Constance Talmadges, 12 Katherine MacDonalds, 6 Anita Stewarts, 4 Lionel Barrymores, 4 Mayflowers and 2 Mack Sennett five-reel productions. Praise was given to Mr. Gordon on account of the fact that he called all independent exhibitors together, instead of selling each exhibitor individually. Every exhibitor present was asked to participate. Exhibitors were asked to take up from the floor any question that concerned the system. And whatever questions on the part of one exhibitor prompted further inquiries on the part of others, were especially asked by Mr. Gordon, who declared that modern business methods make it essential that those who work together shall have a perfect understanding of every detail of the work in which they are engaged and that he would appreciate nothing better than all of the questions it was possible for every exhibitor present to ask him. Banker Talks to Showmen. Upon request, Mr. Gordon took the floor to go into a “heart-to-heart talk” about the franchising proposition. He explained the method in detail. When an exhibitor asked him what effect the First National plan might have on exploitation, Mr. Gordon replied that pictures would be served to the public in a more appetizing manner than ever. An unusual feature of the banquet was a talk by Chandler Wood, president of the Metropolitan Trust Company. He declared that the banking interests of the country no longer have an adverse attitude toward the motion picture industry and added that this industry had become one of the greatest in the country. He said : “Producers are now able to demand capital, and not only capital for actual productions, but capital which eventually is used in the exhibiting end.” Mr. Wood declared that banking leaders throughout New England and New York considered the First National Exhibitors’ Circuit and Associated First National Pictures, Inc., one of the industry’s most reputable organizations. Mrs. M. S. Ayer, of the Exeter Theatre, Boston ; Samuel Spring, of California, and J. D. Williams made brief addresses. Among the exhibitors present were : J. J. McGuiness, Boston; Hiram Miller, Lynn; Joseph Levenson, Boston; H. A. Cuenesen, Elm Circuit; Peter D. Latchis, Brattleboro; J. J. Donovan and F. J. McAleen, Taunton; D. Glover, Ware, Beverly and Peabody; Herbert Hillman, Dorchester; E. D. Lund, Attleboro; Geo. J. Hackett, Medford; A. Montague, Bestonte; E. Ramsdell, Malden; Frank Talbot, Medford; Henry E. Schech, Springfield; L. M. Boas, the Boas Circuit; Benjamin A. Prager, manager Mayflower Attractions and John C. Bills, Beste. Among Those Present. Miss Lena D. Finkelstein, Fenway Theatre, Bostop; Mrs. M. S. Ayer, Exeter Theatre, Boston; H. Glickauf, Bridgeport and Bristol; I. Wheeler, New Haven; S. Schlenger, Middletown; W. H. Murphy, Haverhill; J. E. Keen, Salem; C. W. Rackliffe, Springfield; Geo. E. Hammond, Holyoke and Springfield; H. J. Steinberg, Webster; H. R. Lawton, the Bijou Amusement Circuit; M. F. O’Brien, Malden and Cambridge, and C. Frederick, New Haven. A meeting of all exhibitors of Connecticut has been called August 6, to be held at the Hotel Taft, New Haven, at which meeting a luncheon and reception will be tendered to Mr. Gordon. Selects Cast for “Foreigner” Without a Single Rejection IN the opinion of Arthur H. Jacobs, manager of an exclusive list of artists particularly adapted to screen work, the motion picture industry did not soar to its enviable commercial position, with a most spectacular and phenomenal growth to its credit, without experiencing the same, and added difficulties undergone by other leading industries of the United States. According to Mr. Jacobs’ explanation, it is because there have been men sufficiently interested to specialize in their lines. It is generally conceded that in all professions the man who specializes is more expert in his particular calling than the man who scatters his efforts. It is so in the practice of medicine, dentistry and all the professions. Having become a specialist in selecting the right kind of people for the characters they are to portray, is how, according to Mr. Jacobs, he earned the distinction recently of having cast “The Foreigner” for the Dominion Film Corporation without having one proposed player rejected. It was doubly necessary to devote unusual care in this instance, since the first of the Ralph Connor stories to be filmed is but the premier of eleven others to follow. Glimpse of the Banquet Tendered N. H. Gordon by New England Independent Exhibitors. Mr. Gordon is a member of the board of directors and executive committee for Associated First National Pictures, Inc., and holds First National franchise for Boston territory.