The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

876 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 7, 1920 Many Franchise Holders Attend United Picture Theatres Meeting Gotta Little Monocle in Your Dome? Bert Lytell wears one well in his Metro, "The Right of Way." A MOST enthusiastic and beneficial meeting was held by the United Picture Theatres of America, at the Yates Hotel, Syracuse, N. Y., on January 22. At least 50 per cent of the franchise holders in northern and western New York were present. Many important improvements and policies were adopted at this meeting. A classification committee was appointed, as follows: Emmet Cornell, Eckel Theatre, Syracuse, chairman; J. S. Burnham, Temple Theatre, Cortland; W. A. Callahan, Regent, Rochester; J. J. Walker, Lincoln, Schenectady; James B. Kelly. A result of the meeting was the ad New York League Would Deny Cities Local Option on Sunday Question IT came to light recently that the State Bill Drafting Commission, acting on the request of George H. West, of Albany, one of the prime movers of the New York State Civic League, is drafting a bill for later presentation in the legislature which has for its purpose the repeal of a law passed last year that allows motion picture houses to open on Sundays in all cities, following permission from the governing bodies of the municipalities. For the last two or three weeks there has been a persistent rumor that the league was preparing for some such action and that it would have the backing of ministerial associations throughout the state. While the Bill Drafting Commission refused to divulge the nature of the bill in its details, it was said that it was a short one, that it would be introduced in the near future and that no mention was contained of censorship matters. There is every indication, however, that certain interests will induce Assemblyman John W. Slacer, of Buffalo, who fathered last year's censorship bill, to introduce a similar bill in the very near future. The provisions of the bill include the appointment by the State Regents of a board of censors of three members. Films may be disapproved that are found to be sacrilegious, indecent or immoral or tending to debase or corrupt morals. Capes Meets Senator Walters. This bill must be understood to be entirely distinctive from any which will follow a second meeting of the special committee appointed by the State Conference of Mayors. W. P. Capes, secretary of the conference, in Syracuse the past week, had a long talk with Senator J. Henry Walters, majority leader of the Senate. In going over the program which the State Conference of Mayors has outlined for this session, Mr. Capes and Senator Walters came to the question of censorship. "What do you intend to do in regard to this?" inquired Senator Walters of Mr. Capes. The latter replied that the specially appointed committee was at work and that he did not know what the outcome would be until after the meeting in Albany on February 2, which will be closed to the press and at which the four sub-committees will report, and after which another committee will be named to draft the recommendations that will be made to the legislature in regard to the need of further regulation of motion pictures in New York State. Senator Walters refused to commit himselt in connection with the censorship problem. Walter W. Nicholson, of Syracuse, commissioner of public safety, and the head of one of the four subcommittees, following an illness of several days, is again at work with members of his committee on matters concerning the National Board of Review and will report in this city on February 2. Son to Replace Theatre in Which Father Died ANEW Orphcum Theatre to cost over $100,000 is to be constructed at Mexico, Mo., to replace the show house that burned on January 3, resulting in the tragic death of its 72year-old owner, O. B. Thompson. The announcement was made recently by Shirley C. Thompson, son of the old exhibitor. Work on the new structure will start in thirty days, Mr. Thompson said. The location has not been decided upon, but several are under consideration. "I intend to give Mexico the finest theatre of its kind possible to erect here and it will be built with a view to the future growth of the town into a much larger city than at present," the exhibitor said. "The theatre will be fireproof throughout and will have a seating capacity of 2,000." Plans include a large stage to accommodate the largest road shows and their usual massive scenic equipment, in addition to moving pictures. The front of the building will be handsomely constructed, giving an artistic touch to its four-story effect. It will have every modern convenience, including rest rooms for both men and women. Mr. Thompson has contracted with several leading film companies, including First National, Goldwyn, Fox Film and Famous Players-Lasky. mission of five new members and the general endorsement and adoption of all policies as laid down by the United Picture Theatres of America up-to-date. One of the chief subjects of discussion was the dominating entrance of Wall Street into this industry, and plans and policies were proposed which will eventually offset outside interference toward any members of this circuit of theatres, it was announced. Those Attending, Among those present were: J. D. Roe, Actograph Theatre; Harry Gilbert, Regent; George Sardino, Hippodrome; Mitch Fitzer, Happy Hour; Emmet Cornell, Regent; E. B. Thompson, Lyric; Pete Smith, Novelty; Metzger Bros., Acme; August Schneelack, Seymour; Merriman Bros., Alcazar, all of Syracuse; Shane & Kaufman, Star, Rome; A. B. Blessing, Carrol, Rome; J. W. Schwarzwalder, Universal, Auburn; Morris Silverman, Happy Hour, Schenectady; Sam Suckno, Albany, Albany; J. S. Burnham, Temple, Cortland; M. Gardner, Temple, Cortland; James B. Kelly, Buffalo branch manager; H. L. Taylor, assistant Buffalo branch manager; Max Rowley and Arthur Dana, personal representative of United Picture Productions Corporation. Another meeting of the United Picture Theatre Exhibitors will be held at the Hayward Hotel, Rochester, Wednesday, January 28, at 2 p. m., at which J. A. Berst, president of the United Picture Theatres, and Harry Hall, vicepresident of the United Picture Theatres of America, will be present. A large atendance is expected. The United Picture Exchange is now fully established in new quarters at 86 Exchange street, Buffalo, N. Y., and in addition to controlling all Triangle Corporation productions it will handle the distribution of the Hallmark Pictures Corporation. "Bathing Beauties" Fined. Three of Mack Sennett's Bathing Girls were fined $10 each in police court at Atlanta, for the alleged violation of a city ordinance covering indecent exposure; B. J. Shea, manager of the girls, was fined $50 on the same charge. The "Bathing Beauties," as they were termed, were in Atlanta during the engagement of the Sennett production, "Yankee Doodle in Berlin," at the Criterion theatre. Police officers visiting the show declared that the girls did everything but go entirely nude, and as a result Chief of Police Beavers swore out a warrant against the whole outfit — six of them — including the manager. Oklahoma Association Indorse Bill. Resolutions urging the passage of a bill to prevent the transportation of moving pictures showing scenes of crime, adopted by the Oklahoma Press Association, have been submitted to all members of Congress from that State following the adoption of similar resolutions by the Oklahoma State Bar Association. The Oklahoma Press Association indorsed the act now before Congress and urged its immediate passage.