The Moving picture world (January 1921-February 1921)

January 15, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 291 Exhibitors Send Valuable Suggestions for Motion Picture Day to Committee EXHIBITORS throughout the country are responding enthusiastically to the call of the Motion Picture Committee of the European Relief Council for aid in making January 26 Motion Picture Day, a red letter one in the industry. At the headquarters of the committee, 122 West Fortyninth street, New York, each mail brings letters from picture theatres pledging hearty co-operation in the gathering of funds to save 250,000 starving European children. Many of the picture theatres signify their intention of contributing a part of their receipts, and in a few cases all of their receipts, on Motion Picture Day to the starving children fund, and are arranging with churches and local relief organizations to supply speakers and workers to aid in the big drive for funds. In sections where Sunday closing laws are in force some live wire owners and managers are arranging with the local authorities to allow special performances on Sunday, the proceeds from which will be devoted to the fund. Heins Valuable Suggestions Various plans are being worked out by exhibitors to aid the cause. Some of the theatres will give several benefit performances, culminating in the big special morning matinee for children on Saturday, January 29, for which tickets will be sold at $1 each and the entire proceeds to be contributed for the relief of the children. The enthusiastic response of exhibitors to the request of the Motion Picture Committee is a source of keen satisfaction to those who have set the drive in motion. They feel that the motion picture industry is alive to its responsibilities and that the sum of money necessary to save 250,000 lives will assuredly be turned over to the Herbert Hoover organization as the picture industry's contribution to Europe's helpless war sufferers. A sample of the hearty spirit of cooperation from exhibitors is shown in the following letter from E. D. Heins, of Roanoke, Va., who operates five theatres : "I think this is a splendid spirit that is being shown. We have five theatres at your disposal. We have already paid for two full-page insertions on this subject in the Roanoke papers — "The Slaughter of the Innocents" — and we gave our Roanoke Theatre several Sundays ago for a free concert at which $800 was collected for this relief work at one performance. We are again going to give the theatre this coming Sunday for the same purpose and will have several more in January. This is a suggestion that can be followed in cities where no Sunday shows are given. We also suggest that receptacles be placed in all lobbies, where donations may be made." Another wide-awake exhibitor already on the job is John W. Schatt, of the Gowanda Opera House, Gowanda, N. Y. He writes: "I see you are asking the motion picture owners to help this great cause. This morning I went to see the ministers of the various churches and the Red Cross and asked them to join me in making January 26 a big day. My plan is to have each church give a five-minute entertainment, making a total of one hour, then give a good feature play to close the show, making a charge of 50 cents a ticket, the tickets to be sold by school children and members of various churches. We seat 600 and it should make a fine sum for the cause." Still another is from M. C. Howe, manager of the New Star Theatre of Erskine, Minn. He writes: "We are with you in the drive for the starving children of Europe and any little things our screen can do for you will be cheerfully done." Pledge Co-Operation Among those who have pledged their full co-operation to the committee are: C. I. Gresham & Son, Art Craft Theatre, Mooresville, N. C. ; C. F. Kunz, Y. M. C. A. Theatre, Spray, N. C. ; J. D. Jameson, Broadway-Odeon Theatre, Columbia, Mo ; M. D. Womack, Colonial Theatre, Jasper, Ala.; Paul D. Overton, Lyric Theatre, Winchester, 111.; J. S. Lee, Strand Theatre, Sckaloosa, Iowa; Alfred Lundquist, Palace Theatre, Grand Marais, Mich.; Harry E. Bleich, Empress Theatre, Owensboro, Ky. ; S. S. Stevenson, Princess Theatre, Henderson, N. C. ; O. J. Miller, Lyric Theatre, St. Clair, Pa. ; S. A. Lambert, Fotosho Theatre, Suffolk, Va.; Charles G. Wells Opera House, Elkton, Ind. The first contribution from exchange men has come to the committee in the form of a check for $50 from the Metro Film Exchange of Philadelphia. Robert Lynch, manager of the exchange, wrote he would call a meeting of exchange managers in Philadelphia to devise ways and means of concerted action in obtaining big results in the Philadelphia territory. Dan Beard and Wm. Brandt Talk to A.M.P.A. Members Daniel Carter Beard, chief master of the National Scout Commission, and William Brandt, president of the New York Theatre Owners' Chamber of Commerce, were the speakers at the weekly meeting of the A. M. P. A., at the Cafe Boulevard, on December 30. Mr. Beard, who carries the highest commissioned rank in the Boy Scouts' organization, told of the movement's progress since its inception in this country in 1905. Mr. Brandt, speaking on behalf of his organization, offered Mr. Beard the use of their screens at any time they could be utilized to advance the Boy Scout movement. He also extended to A. M. P. A. members an inviation to the Theatre Owners' Chamber of Commerce dinner and bill at the Astor Hotel, on January 5. Several amendments to the A. M. P. A. constitution, dealing mostly with routine matters and the board of directors' meet:ngf., -vere unanimously adopted. Film of Travel Evolution The Harry Levey Service Corporation announces the premier showing of its educational picture, "The Porcelain Lamp," Convention Postponed The Virginia exhibitors' convention, which was slated for January 12 and 13 in Washington, D. C, has been changed to January 26 and 27, in order that there may be an affiliated meeting with the exhibitors of Maryland and the District of Columbia. at the Strand Theatre, New York, Wednesday, January 12 at 10 a. m. The showing is private. The photoplay centers around and take-; its name from the discovery of gasoline a< a liquid fuel, but it also incorporates tin history of the evolution of travel from todays when the only known means of locomotion were man's own two legs, down through the ages to the present day. "Bob Hampton of Placer" to Be an Early Release Marshall Neilan's initial release for 1921 will be his spectacular visualization of Randall Parrish's book, "Bob Hampton ot Placer," a picture of America's frontier days in 1876. It will be ready early in the new year. The picturization of Booth Tarkington's "Penrod" will then be started with Wesley Barry again in the starring role. Albert Payson Terhune's, "The Lotus Eater," is also scheduled for early production. For "Bob Hampton of Placer" the producer has used 1,500 men and horses of the Tenth Cavalry stationed at Fort Huachuca. Arizona. A thousand Blackfeet Indians in their picturesque attire are also shown. David Kesson and Jacques Bizeul were chief cameramen. Marion Fairfax adapted the story. Picture Trade in Java Is Increasing Rapidly The moving picture business is expanding rapidly, according to a report transmitted to the Department of Commerce by Consul Jewell, at Batavia. American pictures are increasingly popular; the types best liked are big features, comedy, news and travel films. No film of less than five reels is very successful. The pictures which attract the native audiences are those of the adventure and action type, while the European and American audiences usually prefer well-acted drama of the type most popular in the United States. Cecil Has Been Selected for "Heavy" Role Edward Cecil, well known to the patrons of the silent drama, and famous throughout the country for his vivid portrayals of "heavy" types, has been selected by Metro to play an important part in the production of "Big Game," in which May Allison is starring. From EXHIBITOR'S TRADE REVIEW .. eek Salt Lake City GEM Feature, "Dead Men Tell No Tales" (Vitagraph).— Positively the best picture booked into this house this season. Business at opening was ordinary, but picked up until box office record for week was set. A great picture with plenty of thrills and the best bet this house has had in many a long day. _ Exploitation. — Tje^i^j_v^h local storp.; —