The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 6, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 37 Billy Brandt's "Party" a Real Tribute; Exhibitors Praise His Faithful Work EVERY film man and woman who was anybody in New York was at the WilHam Brandt testimonial dinner and ball at Hotel Ritz-Carlton on Thursday night, April 20 and paid a deserving and enthusiastic tribute to the outgoing president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce. Brandt's party, as the affair became to be known, was something more than a mere social gathering of friends of the popular exhibitor. It was a historic gathering of film folk who had something to say — and said it. There was General Will Hays in all his glory, Senator James J. Walker and who not. Even Sydney S. Cohen, although the picture he presented was a pathetic one because those pals of his who until two weeks ago were his staunchest standbys, were not with him — and he stood alone. And not unnoticed was the grab that Cohen made for the smiling Will Hays when he detected the latter talking to a group of exhibitors. Cohen Meets Hays The General smiled as the M. P. T. O. A. head came to him and referred to the invitation that he had been extended the former cabinet official by Charles L. O'Reilly and others at a previous meeting of the M. P. T. O. C. C. Cohen asked if he would come to Washington — and then two days later newspapers in New York carried stories in which was published a statement purporting to come from the executive committee of that organization attacking officials of the M. P. T. O. A., who had courteously invited Hays to Washington during the absence of the president, who was in Parkersburg, West Va. A Walker Ovation And the boys thought they had Bill "stalled." They figured that he would play as the amateur actor making his professional debut would, but they were wrong, for Brandt turned out to be a splendid general and he turned the tide when he came forward with a gold cigarette case and presented it to Senator Walker in appreciation of the services he had rendered the exhibitors of the country in general. The gift came from the Chamber of Commerce. The reception that followed reminded this writer of a wild night spent at Reisenweber's on Armistice Day, when men and women became wild, uncaring, reckless children again. There wasn't a clear voice in that crowd when Bill stepped forward and made the presentation. Everybody shouted until he or she was hoarse. And it was that kind of cheering that is inspired from the heart. There was no question about the exhibitors being firm believers in the honesty and integrity of By ROGER FERRI the man who had given his all to them in their hours of greatest need. For once the senator was stumped. He had been the Santa Claus all evening. He had good heartedly made presentation after presentation, but the gift of the organization to him literally took him off his feet and he just spoke as his heart dictated. He told how he felt and with a lump in his throat he cried out he loved this business and then leaning forward almost across the table, he shouted : "Wonderful Pals" "By the Holy God of Gods I will say again that I love this business and you can do with me as you see fit. I hereby dedicate and consecrate all my efforts to you wonderful pals, who tonight have made me the happiest man in the world. "I am with the fellow who is with me because I have been kicked around and know that many times I have been wrong. But I'm right now. I've seen the game and I'm on the right road." Bernard Edelherz acted as toastmaster and after paying an eloquent tribute to Mr. Brandt, introduced the speakers. Referring to Brandt, however, he characterized him as the "pal that every one who knows him will swear by." The first speaker was Cohen, who spoke more briefly than usual. He referred to the status of Cicero and told of "an alliance between the exhibitor organization and the producers and distributors." "We are ready to co-operate and work with other organizations representative of other branches of our industry," Cohen said. "The time has com^ when, all branches of this business should get together." He praised Brandt and William A. Landau, the new M. P. T. O. C. C. head. Hays Urges Confidence (jeneral Hays, the next speaker, was given a rousing cheer when he stood up to fire his opening shot. He extended his felicitations and praised the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce. "Confidence and co-operation," he I)egan, "are most needed in this business. Confidence and co-operation between producer and distributor on the one hand, and the exhibitor on the other hand, mean the solution of our every problem. "If we have co-operation in this industry we will get character and with character will come courage. Let us make our industry strong and co-operative and when we have accomplished that, nothing this side of hell can stop us — and not until then will they stop kicking our industry around. They'll soon be building monu ments for us if we carry out this program of confidence and co-operation. "The time to strike is here and now. By determination and honesty of purpose in whatever we do we will win. There are no yesterdays in this business. There must be no going back. We must go ahead, fighting honestly, confidently and co-operatively. And if we do this we can't go wrong." Walker Lauds Associates Then Senator Walker came and the crowd arose as one man at mention of his name. He began as follows : "I like this fellow Hays. I like all big men. I like him for two reasons : one is that he is going to do our industry a lot of good and the other because they have taken him out of the Republican party." Walker then paid tribute to his associates in the M. P. T. O. A. and Adolph Zukor, characterizing him as "a game little fellow." Returning to Hays he said that he admired him because he "had picked out a dog that has been kicked around to fondle, when he could have had the pick of the best jobs, that commanded bigger salaries." But he came out and said : "You have got to stop kicking this dog about." Senator Walker then presented S. B. Bock with a gold watch as a "token of genuine appreciation and affection of the M. P. T. O. C. C." Charles Goldreyer and Sam Sonin, too, were presented with watches. President-elect Landau next spoke, praised his predecessor as a "loyal brother and jolly good fellow." He gave Brandt a cigarette case. Walker then introduced Brandt, who was cheered for fully three minutes, presenting him with the silver set. Accomplished Under Brandt Brandt spoke interestingly on organization and told that since December 24 of last year to date the New York City organization had settled 752 cases of importance to exhibitors via the arbitration board plan. He said exhibitors recovered in that period $46,000 in cash as the result of arbitration proceedings between the exhibitor and exchange bodies. These transactions, he added, involved $256,000. "Had it not been for confidence and cooperation," Mr. Brandt said, "this wonderful record could not have been achieved. If this can be done by a local organization it can be done by a national organization." And the crowd assented by loudly applauding him. Mr. Brandt directed attention, too, to the fact that there is "considerably more money in the treasury of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce than there is in that of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America."