The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

260 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 16, 1926 Governor Ferguson Proclaims January Laugh Month in Texas THE biggest local stunt so far engineered in connection with Laugh Month — and one of the greatest pieces of exploitation work ever put over by motion picture men — has been engineered in Texas by the Laugh Month Committee of Dallas exchange men and the Texas Motion Picture Theatre Owners whose combined efforts brought about the issuance, of a governor's proclamation declaring January Laugh Month in the State of Texas. On Thursday, December 31, Governor Miriam A. ("Ma") Ferguson, in the presence of the Dallas Laugh Month Committee and Col. H. A. Cole, President of the Texas M. P. T. O., signed the proclamation : Realizing that the year of 1925 brought prosperity to many, though adversity to some ; and Believing that a cheerful, happy outlook is the best antidote for gloom, as well as the greatest assurance of future well being; and with the most heartfelt conviction that "It is better to laugh than to mourn," and that "we must laugh to live" — I HEREBY PROCLAIM the month of January, 1926, as LAUGH MONTH for the State of Texas; and I recommend to the people of this great and glorious commonwealth that they start the year with happy laughter and good cheer, with the assurance of a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR (signed) Miriam A. Ferguson, Governor of Texas Governor Ferguson's proclamation resulted in front page publicity for Laugh Month in practically all the newspapers of Texas, giving a most auspicious start to the cele ^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ I Alabaman Tries | I Laugh Insurance j I When the Pathe-Harold Lloyd feat | g ure "The Freshman" played the Emp 1 i pire Theatre, Montgomery, Ala., the 1 1 management of the theatre ran in an 1 g advertisement a "liability policy" for g g his patrons, which insured them against | I fractured ribs, broken jaws and tired g g bodies. 1 g The advertisement was headed "It's g g so funny, we had to do this" and goes i 1 on to say: i g "This latest Harold Lloyd mlrthquake g g is so hilariously funny that we thought g g it best, for the protection of our pa g g trons, to take out a policy against g g broken ribs and other accidents from | g too much laughter. You'll see when you | g see the picture." 1 g An exact copy of a liability policy g g was published, numbered, and made g g out for $10 payable by the Georgia g g Casualty Company. g ^uii:iiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiuiiiiiii;iii::iiiliiiiiiiuiiiiiiiliiiiii(illililililiiiiiiliiiiiil!in^ bration of Laugh Month in that State. Motion picture and still photographs of the signing of the proclamation were made, and while the newspapers were printing the still pictures, all four news reels were showing the ceremony in the theatres throughout the State. The Dallas Laugh Month Committee which put over this great piece of exploitation work is comprised of F. A. Tomes, manager of the Educational Exchange ; Oscar A. Morgan, Pathe Exchange ; P. K. Johnston, Fox Exchange, and R. C. Mcllheran, Universal Exchange. This committee was formed a« soon as plans for National Laugh Month were announced and promptly met with Col. Cole, head of the Texas exhibitors, to map out the Texas campaign. With their hearts and souls sincerely in the work and with the finest spirit of co-operation at all times, the Laugh Month Committee and the exhibitors' organization secured the complete co-operation of the executive office at Austin. The Laugh Month Committee and Col. Cole went to Austin on December 31 accompanied by camera men and Associated Press representatives and within an hour after the proclamation was signed the Austin Statesman announced it in a big twocolumn box story on page one. Copies of the Governor's proclamation have been sent to all exhibitors in Texas for lobby display use and are now being prominently displayed in connection with the special Laugh Month accessories. "The Enchanted City" Educational Single Reel Gem Shown at Special Sunday Revival Coupled with revivals of worth while features by the International Film Arts Guild, Inc., New York City, at the Sunday programs they are presenting at the Central Theatre, usually there is included on the same program a short feature of outstanding merit. On Sunday, December 27, the short feature distinguished in this manner was the Educational single reel Special "The Enchanted City," shown with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," the John Barrymore feature. Said to have scored a "knockout" wherever shown, this short feature released through Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., was produced by Warren A. Newcombe, an artist who received his inspiration through List's "Dream of Love." It represents a highly idealistic version of a young man's search for lost love and happiness. The boy tells the girl that in his dreams he saw a spiritual life with his sweatheart acting as his guide. Sometimes he loses her, and then his craft speeds on towards the falls of oblivion. At the climax he seems doomed utterly, but again finds faith in his love, and the picture concludes with the couple promising always to be united in their dreams as well as when awake. "The Enchanted City" is a beautiful subject and any exhibitor who is desirous of showing an unusual and remarkable short film will find this a novelty of unusual distinction that will appeal to patronage capable of appreciating a really artistic presentation. COL. H. A. COLE, PRESIDENT OF M. P. T. O. OF TEXAS, and representatives of the Motion Picture Industry at the Capitol, on invitation of Governor Miriam A. Ferguson, to witness the signing of her official proclamation designating January, 1926, as Laugh Month for Texas. Seated: Governor Miriam A. Ferguson. Standing, left to right: P. K. Johnston, Manager, Fox Films Dallas Exchange; F. A. Tomes, Manager, Dallas Educational Exchange; R. C. Mcllheran, Manager, Universal Dallas Exchange; Col. H. A. Cole, President, Texas M. P. T. O.; Oscar A. Morgan, Manager, Dallas Pathe Exchange.