The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 13, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD -155 Popularity Contest Enters Final Week; Madge Kennedy and Will Rogers Lead UNDER bright publicity auspices, the actual beginning of the motion picture popularity contest drive for funds for the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, got under way in New York City on Saturday with a variety of interesting activities. At noon, thirty brand new Durant cars and a respectable sprinkling of other brands got under way at Seventy-second street, and following a band and a huge truck covered with explanatory advertising matter, paraded down Seventh avenue towards Fourteenth street and back up Broadway to the Loew State Theatre building, where it disbanded in a final rattle of votes and hurrahs. The cars were filled with stage stars and society workers. Many side excursions were made by these workers on the walks and the ballot boxes were respectably heavy by the time the returns were made to the official auditors, Leslie, Banks & Co. Mary Anderson, dressed in a becoming blue semi-military motoring outfit, jumped off her car at Thirtysecond street, where a mob was just preparing to get on one of the Fifth avenue buses. Each of them apparently had a 10 cent piece in his hand, but everyone had to dig again, for the 10 cent piece went into Miss Anderson's ballot box. On Saturday night the first of two midnight shows was held. The Gaiety Theatre was the scene of action and a capacity house crowded the theatre long before the curtain went up on the first act. To this perfomance contributions of entertainment were made by Miss Nora Bayes, Frankie Famum and his band, Brock Sisters, Gus Edwards' Review, Constance Binney, Richard Barthelmess, Tyrone Power, Miriam Battista, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, the Carr family, Billy Dove, Mary Anderson, Doraldina, Fay Marbe, Paul Specht's orchestra, Edithe Earle, Monte Blue, Tom Wise and many others. The official nominations of stars in the contest were made, with enthusiastic speeches by the nominators and clever rejoinders on the part of Raymond Hitchcock, master of ceremonies. The first activity on Monday was very properly the official benediction of the city authorities, and the first official ballot cast by a city official. Mayor Hylan was greeted, as he stepped out on the City Hall steps, by a battalion of picture stars and society workers. He was also surrounded by a flock of picture cameras representing the news reels. Constance Binney, the leader in the contest at this time, was introduced to the mayor, and capitalizing her opportunity, secured the first vote. Then he had to do it all over again for Lloyd Hamilton. Monday also signalized the start of the votes in the various theatres and theatre lobbies. While there was some confusion in regard to just how far they could go and where they could go, it was all straightened out in time for the evening performance, in the theatres. The evening wound up with a midnight tea and jazz party at Bunn Bros.' Cafeteria, in the basement of the State Theatre. Vote-getting meetings were also held at Lorber's, Cafe Boulevard, Shanley's, Reisenweber's, Lucia's, Hofbrau and Roseland. Tuesday's activities included a visit on the part of screen stars and society young women to the Old Men's Toy Work Shop, of 505 East Sixteenth street, which is maintained by the A. I. C. P. as one of its charities. At 4.30 the same group had a tea at Delmonico's, and in the evening dispersed to the various theatres, hotels and restaurants to which they had been assigned for their evening work. Loevt/s Name Added Although the co-operation of the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce had been extended as fully as it was possible for any organization, it was suggested by Will Hays, chairman of the Motion Picture Committee, that a few big names would help considerably in lining up other theatres which were not members of the Chamber of Commerce, vaudeville houses, legitimate houses, etc. For that reason Mr. Hays and Mr. Zukor, after a conference, asked Marcus Loew to add his name to the Motion Picture Operating Committee as ex-officio chairman, and Adolph Zukor as his assistant, to give any needed advice, counsel and weight of their names to the undertaking. The Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce co-operation offer was contained in a bulletin issued on Friday last to all of the membership. The standings Thursday morning had Madge Kennedy leading the women and Will Rogers the men. Following Miss Kennedy, in the order named, were Mary Pickford, Constance Binney, Lillian Gish, Mae Murray and Constance Talmadge. Following Will Rogers were Charles Chaplin, Tom Mix and William Farnum. E. Harris to Supervise Mary Pickford Pictures Mary Pickford has engaged Elmer Harris, noted playwright, as supervising editor of all her productions. Mr. Harris already is at work, and will act hereafter as chief counsel, according to Miss Pickford, in all matters pertaining to her photoplays. Aside from preparing a photoplay for Jack Pickford, Mr. Harris will co-operate with John S. Robertson, who has been engaged to direct Miss Pickford in her latest, "Tess of the Storm Country," which is going into production at once. The Newspaper Pendulum As an indication of the gradual swing of the newspaper pendulum away from abuse of the moving picture industry and toward fair play for our business, the following editorial from the Laurel Advocate of Laurel, Nebraska, is significant: SCREEN PROGRESS "When we compare the photoplays of today with those shown a few years ago, there is no denying the fact that there have been decided changes in their character. "Few, if any, large and important industries have ever been perfectly conducted, and the motion picture business is no exception to the rule. This business is entirely dependent for support upon the public; therefore, many changes have been, and many more will be required. "This popular diversion has taken a firm grip upon the public and has become so much a part of the community life that hardly anybody wishes the ehmination of the movies. But there has been a steady demand for a better class of pictures. The patrons are objecting to so many objectionable stories, and these now are being replaced by pictures of cleaner quality and of more educational advantage. "The producers are keen enough of perception to see the direction of the wind and are making every effort to meet the demands of the millions who make the industry profitable. "Picture fans must be humored, and, although their ideas may take a queer twist occasionally, the producer who recognizes the truth of the old saying, 'The customer always is right,' is the fellow who will garner the dollars."