Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 269 school. The Moving Picture World has, time and again, pointed out the suitableness of certain pictures relating to history and geography for school purposes. The number is rapidly increasing. Of the so-called scenic and travel pictures there is a wide range of subjects, and several American makers are producing pictures illustrative of interesting incidents of American history. It would seem to be a great economic waste should these subjects serve no greater purpose than the cheapest slap-stick comedy. Boards of Education should arrange to make them available for purposes of instruction. Possibly the plan suggested by Mrs. Starkweather will solve the problem, or lead to a proper solution. *#* THE first national convention of moving picture exhibitors at Cleveland, on August 1, will have fixed another important landmark in the history of the picture industry in this country; and it should result in lasting and increasing good for the industry generally. Much cannot be expected, however, from this first meeting, except that a start will be made and the ground broken for a richer harvest next year. Nothing but good can result from the bringing together of representative exhibitors from all parts of the country. The exchange of experiences will be valuable. The comparison of conditions in various sections will be instructive. The attitude of governing bodies towards the picture can be ascertained and remedies suggested. The grievances of exhibitors can be considered temperately and justly. No stronger proof is needed of the great growth and importance of moving picture entertainment than the fact that 1,000 intelligent business men will gather from every section to discuss the exhibition end of the picture industry. The need for organization, local and national, has been felt by exhibitors in the past. Where attempts were made to organize, individual selfishness and jealousies prevented unity. Now views have broadened and the exhibition business has reached a higher plane. City and state associations of exhibitors have been formed and successfully maintained, and now it is wisely sought to form a national organization. With a right purpose, sound policy and well-balanced officers, the national organization can exert a great and beneficent influence over the future of the moving picture. At the very outset it would be wise to be introspective and discover the weak points in the exhibiting end and the means of strengthening them. It would be well to consider admission prices, which in most cities are away below what picture entertainment merits. *** THE police authorities have laid down certain rules for the display of film posters in the city of Detroit. The matter is treated fully in the news columns of The Moving Pictre World, and is well worth the attention of every exhibitor. Too many of the film posters now in use look like mc"ta; .^ins and abominations unto good taste. To attract the common herd resort is had to a realism of the dime museum and anatomical cabinet variety, and such posters are not only offensive to the police but disgusting to all clean-minded persons. It is shortsighted policy to attract the noisy and callous youth and repel the decent and orderly element. Lithographic and "home-made" posters of the blood and thunder sort are running riot in some sections of this city, and are positive eve sores. Thev are seen by thousands of people every day, and the harm thev do to the moving picture art at large is incalculable. The front of some moving picture houses in this city needs censoring much more than the films do. IT is reported that Mr. Nat C. Goodwin, an American actor of undoubted genius and originality, still in the prime of his power, is about to enter the ranks of the film makers and directors and actors of the silent stage. The great talents of this gifted actor make him particularly promising in the field of refined comedy, as those who have seen him take the part of Bottom in "The Midsummernight's Dream" will readily believe. The conviction that the moving picture will work out a wonderful destiny in the amusements of future generations is growing among all the stage folk, and they are all preparing to join. In connection with the news of the Milano production, Dante's "Inferno," being placed on one of the big circuits, the news of Goodwin "going in" for moving pictures presages a strong movement toward the photoplay, and there is plenty of room for the best. The Exhibitor's Opportunity Last week, in commenting upon the approaching convention of exhibitors at Cleveland, we concluded with the remark: "The time has come when the voice of the exhibitor must be heard and heeded in the councils of the industry." If the convention is to be composed of agitators, more harm than good will ensue. If it is attended by men who are serious in their attempt to better their own condition and advance the standard and remove obstacles to progress, we say to every exhibitor, go by all means if you can and take part in the discussions. This is the reply we made to one exhibitor who writes a lengthy letter citing certain grievances against the exchanges and manufacturers, ending with the question, "Do you think it would do me any good to attend the Cleveland convention?" Our correspondent runs a small show in one of the suburbs of a large city. He says, in part : "I started in with the Independent service as there was a theater in town showing the Licensed Service films. After a few weeks during which I received some very good reels, the service began to get so poor that the patronage dropped off and I could not get any satisfaction by complaining or offering to pay for the privilege of selecting a program. So I tried the General Film Company and did get a good program from them to start with. But now what a service! It is ruining my business. The other day I was to receive "II Trovatore" and announced it widely. When the reel came it was in such bad condition that it broke several times and my operator would not take chances on running it through the machine a second time. Consequently my advertising was wasted and my patrons disappointed. I had heard complaints against the service, but had not the least idea that it was so rotten and so autocratic. Only yesterday they had the nerve to keep me standing in the ante room without a single chair or bench, from 2 to 4.25 p. m., for my reels. I was not the only one. Many other exhibitors and operators were there and each one kicking. What is the use to kick? When one exhibitor complained that he had been waiting for two hours for a reel and had missed his train, the booking clerk told him to 'mind his own business, that he could not dictate and that if he dared to talk back he would be thrown out of the place.' There seemed to be no order or system, yet even the employees of the place acted as if they were autocrats." There is more in the same strain, and if this exhibitor attends the convention and states his case, and it is corroborated by others, surely some steps can be taken to correct what is an outrage and which will in time drive all self-respecting men out of the exhibiting field. This is the exhibitors' paper and it was in their interest that we first advocated the establishing of local associations to protect themselves against burdensome city or state restrictions, also a National organization to cement and strengthen the locals. It is before this National meeting that such questions as the quality and kind of service should be discussed.