Moving Picture World (Sep - Oct 1918)

1714 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD EXHIBITORS COMPLAIN OF FREE SHOWS Washington City Kxcli Designed to Mitigate THE question of donating films to organizations in the national capital for various purposes was brought to the attention of the Washington exchangemen at a pieeting of the Exchange Managers' Association following the receipt of complaints from various exhibitors that the shows given in this way are seriously affecting their box office receipts. The demand for free shows is coming also from Baltimore. Here the idea is to furnish without charge amusement for the so-called war workers — men and women who come to Washington and secure lucrative positions under the Government. The matter is to be further considered at the next meeting, but it was thfu ■ • some sort of uniform application b!.. should bf • ■ and the people setk iii^; tiliii!. I f thereon the number and cia>!. ii nuii;. desired, number of exhibitions to be given, for what purpose and under what conditions. These forms would then be sent by mail to the secretary for action by a special committee. This is in line with a plan put into effect by the Retail Merchants' Association of Washington to curb the demands made upon storekeepers for donations for doubtful charities. Attention was called to the fact that while the authorities are very the enforcement of fire regulai respect to theatres and e various organizations were per: hold exhibitions without regar. regulations. It was stated that ciitm the projection machines were used without the proper safeguard of a portable metal booth. The question of incorporating the organization was brought up and the matter was laid before the members by Attorney C. Chester Caywood. Affiliation with the Washington Chamber of Commerce was urged by Thomas Grant, secretary of the latter. Many Complaints Again»t Free Service. There seems to be a great deal of complaint against the free service rendcre-! by the local exchanges to communit\ centers and other organizations operating motion picture entertainments for the benefit of the people of the District of Columbia. At the Sylvan Thratn. for instance, it is pointed out scvtr.il thousand persons are entertained v •' out expense to them several nights < week with motion picture exhibitu ;The Sylvan Theatre is at the base of the Washington ^^onument, and it is said that as many as 7,500 persons have congregated there at one time. This takes business away from theatres in all sections of the city. The high schools are also being used to entertain without charge, and one of these has a stadium seating 6.500. It has been the practice to donate the use of the films, although it is understood the persons in charge of the Sylvan Theatre pay a slight rental charge. However, where payment is made it is far below the value of the production secured. In no case are old films acceptable, the request being for films that have not been shown all over the circuit. This is declared to be eminently unfair to the men who are legitimately engaged in the motion picture business and who arc compelled to angenien Take Action Injury to Business pay ajl kinds of taxes for the support of the very people who get the benefit of the free shows — the Government employes, who average in salary something better than $100 per month. The exchanges have been urged to take necessary steps toward cutting down this abuse. The shows are not for charity, nor for persons who cannot afford to pay the small admissions to the established theatres and airdomes. and there is no e.xcuse for their existence on their present basis. As the result of the continued complaints the exchange managers have under consideration a new plan, limiting the number of films to be so donated. WOMAN USHERS SATISFACTORY. The management of the Riaho Theatre, San Francisco, has installed woman ushers throughout the house, including the director, and finds that these give entire satisfaction. Natty unift>rms have bet-ii doigned for the girls along the military lines now so popular, and the accompanying illustration shows how effective these arc. as well ;<•> linnon Woman Ushrr in Uniform of San Francitco'i Rialto Theatre. strating the fact that Messrs. Sheehan and Lurie are also good judges of beauty. Courtesy is one of the strong points of the policy of this house, and the usher is shown guiding a patron through a side exit. Lightless nights have no terrors for San Franciscans when such attentions as these are showered upon them. ZELLNER WROTE "FRIEND HUSBAND." Because of the unusual success attending Madge Kennedy's "Friend Husband," Goldwyn is in receipt of many inquiries as to its authorship, and hastens to correct an erroneous impression regarding the writer of the play. In some quarters the idea prevails that "Friend September 21, 1918 Husband" is the work of J. Clarksoa Miller, while as a matter of fact the author is Lois Zellner, who also contributed "Money Mad" to Mae Marsh'& series of unusual photoplays. Miss Zellner, well-known as a scenario writer, wrote "Friend Husband" expressly for Madge Kennedy and to her credit should be given for the unique idea of it. Mr. Miller, the standby of Goldwyn's continuity writers, executed the adaptation and praises Miss Zellner's carefully detailed synopsis. Ekre Takes Larger Exchange. For some time past manager of the Portland (Ore.) branch of General Film Company, George J. Ekre has just been transferred to a larger Pacific Coast office by the company, that at Los Angeles. Mr. Ekre relieves Western District Manager W. S. Rand, who had been acting as local manager pending the appointment of someone to handle the office. Mr. Rand, after the induction of Mr. Ekre is completed, probably wilF return to his headquarters at Denver. Coddess of Liberty Theme for Farrar's Loan Special GKKALDIXK FAKRAR Ik.s completed, at the Goldwyn studio in Fort Lee, a Liberty Loan picture, which has been sent to Washington by special messenger. It is called "The Bonds That Tie." This task over the nature of the contribution is made public for the first time. Both Geraldine Farrar and her director, Reginald Barker, arc elated over the finished product. Mr. Barker is confident the friends of the international celebrity will delight in seeing her in a new guise and that the public will respond to her appeal. Harry Diirant wrote the story from which the picture was made. She appears as the Goddess of Liberty. The setting is the steps of a classical temple standing in the shadow { L of a tree. On one side of the entrance > Is a sailor (Tom Santschi) and opposite stands a soldier in the person of Milton .^^ills. The curtains part and reveal (ieraldine Farrar as Liberty. She descends to the level of the men in uniform and addresses them in turn. "You have shown your love for your i: country. Now your country must show Its love for you." says the (joddess of Liberty. Then she speaks to the public, telling tliem how many men have already been sent and how many more must be sent Willi their help. She follows this with .1 direct appeal to the audience on behalf ■ f the fourth Liberty Loan, concluding with : "These Liberty Bonds are bonds of love. They bind those who cannot go to those who go to fight — and die if need be. Don't you love them enough to buy a bond? Then buy and buy and buy Liberty Bonds!" The picture closes with the player's arms outstretched and the stars in her Liberty cap catching the glints of myriad lights. She makes an inspiring figure. .'\s with Goldwyn's all-star Liberty Loan production, every one associated with Geraliline Farrar donated his services, from Hugo Ballin, who devised the beautiful setting, to the several electricians, who operated the special lights.