The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

January 2, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 21 Neu; ^^Insurance^* New Jersey ''Open Sunday'' Bill Due; Qovemor Praises Theatre Owners Skeeter Exhibitors Plan Document Similar to That of New York — Urge Against Any Aifiliation with M. P. P. D. A^ AN important meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey closed after an eight-hour session in Trenton on December 16. with the Board of Directors instructing its legislative committee to introduce in the New Jersey Legislature a local option "Open Sunday" bill similar to the one which proved so successful in New York State. A most important clause in this bill, which the organization believes will be of especial significance to opponents of Sunday movies, is a restriction which will provide that no theatres would function on the Sabbath in competition with the regular hours devoted to church services. THE Midwest Film Distributors, Inc. a Kansas City corporation, has established in the Kansas City territory among the small town houses what is to to be known as "dark house" insurance. Many times during an extremely cold period when blizzards raged, small town theatres have been stranded withbut a picture for the night and patrons turned away. For $7.50 the Midwest concern will allow the exhibitor to retain a feature picture in his possession for a month, to be used in case of emergency. Although in its infancy here, the plan is proving a popular one. Panic Follows Fire in Montana Theatre; Many Hurt AT Deer Lodge, Montana, the Rialto Theatre was the scene of a bad fire in the operating booth, built of cement and situated on the main floor. Panic followed. The people stampeded to the various exits but the great jam occurred in the main exit. Those injured in the crush were taken to the hospital. Only a few were singed as the flames shot out of the booth. The projectionist, Sigfried Miller, suffered minor injuries. Mr. Miller was placing film in the tin box as he finished screening it. A spark from the electric wire quickly ignited the film, and though the lid was put on the box, gas generated so rapidly that the explosion broke open the box and the flames shot out of the booth. The fire was confined to the booth, as Miller closed the door as soon as he could get out. But smoke and confusion were, the cause of most of the injuries sustained by the spectators, none of whom were seriously hurt. Every effort was made to quiet the crowd but it was in vain. Damage to the booth was estimated at $1,500 by Jens Hansen, manager of the theatre. He had not then been able to determine the extent of the damage to the projecting machine. F. G. BRADFORD DIES F. G. Bradford, vice-president of the LeeBradford Corporation, died last week in Los Angeles after a long period of ill health. He had not been active in the affairs of the company for some time. He was about 50 years old. This resolution was adopted in Executive session immediately after the directors had listened to Governor Stokes' broad commendation of the motion picture industry. "You men are entitled to recognition," the governor said. "You are an advocate for good. You are an educational and moral force. You have nothing to apologize for. You must let officialdom and the public know what public service you are rendering." This statement by the governor, together with an open endorsement for local option on Sunday movies in New Jersey by the Hon. Walter H. Olden, a Princeton theatre owner, who was recently elected to the New Jersey Legislature and who was introduced by Joseph M. Seider, president of the New Jersey organization, as "the first governor of futurity emanating from exhibitor ranks," imbued the directors with additional confidence that their fight of years against the Blue Laws is rapidly. Hearing victory. Mr. Olden is also an elder in a Presbyterian church. That the New Jersey governor is one of filmdom's greatest advocates and admirers, was reflected in his closing remarks when he said, "Motion Pictures are one of the good things of life, and I like good things." He made this statement after praising the program of public service being executed by the theatre owners in his own state and by members of the national organization with whose activities in public service he said he was well familiar. In his report, President Seider declared that the time is rapidly nearing when theatre owners, not only in New Jersey but in the entire country, will be emancipated from political dominance of such things as Blue Laws. He spoke of the necessity for harmony in the entire industry, but stressed the point that before all things the exhibitor must recognize that his salvation reposes not only in his state organization but in the national organization. Mr. Seider informed the twenty-eight directors and associate directors in attendance that he had submitted to members of the New Jersey Legislature copies of the current New Jersey organization's bulletin. In this bulletin Mr. Seider quotes the Law in New York State regarding the exhibition of Sunday pictures. He states: "Any law that is not respected is a bad law. If I were opposed to Sunday movies I would first advocate the repeal of the antiquated and obsolete 'Blue Law' — that the motion picture industry shall be freed from the 'Vice and Immorality Act.' "With legal Sunday movies a fact, I would work for the closing of the movies in my town through a local referendum or option. "A law thus passed will be respected by the movie-goers and particularly by the movie owner. "The real opponents of legalized Sunday pictures are the New York competitors of the New Jersey showmen. With New Jersey theatres closed the New York theatres reap a harvest. "New Jersey merchants also suffer through this situation. Trade follows the movies. When a New Jersey resident travels to New York for wholesome entertainment on Sunday he is subconsciously led to New York on other days of the week. He also does all his shopping in New York. This is an established fact. Ask New Jersey merchants. "The public in large communities demand the much needed, harmless and healthful entertainment that the motion picture affords, on Sunday after church hours. "New York State also had a law against Sunday pictures on its statute books. Its Legislature was foresighted enough to repeal it." The busin«ss of the New Jersey organization has reached such a state, it became known, that monthly meetings of the Board of Directors may not suffice. In the near future the directorate may be divided into several administrative committees, which may meet several times a week, so that all details of the organization may be given thorough consideration. An outstanding event at the Trenton nieet(Continued on next page) Ha-Ha-Ha! Here Comes Laugh Month!'