Reel Life (1915-1916)

BOLD MOVE BEATS REFORMERS’ Exhibitor answers critics o f “ Inspiration ” and makes big 'profit by a return booking. BEATING THE KNOCKERS” might well be the title of this account of how an exhibitor with courage and resource put to rout carping critics of a perfectly good photoplay and thereby improved the standing of his house — not to mention the fact that he made some noney in doing it. Along with several thousand other appreciating exhibitors, William J. Goetz, owner and manager of the Alhambra Theatre at Middletown N. Y., booked and presented Inspiration. Inspiration, featuring Miss Audrey Munson, famous artists’ model, is one of the season’s greatest screen successes to come from the Thanhouser studios. It proved its usual drawing power in V Middletown. It drew about two thousand admissions. However, it also drew down on the picture, on Miss Munson, the Alhambra Theatre and Mr Goetz the extreme disapproval of a number of probably well meaning, but certainly misinformed persons, striving for the “uplift” of Middletown and yearning for the limelight of publicity which an attack on a motion picture so often promises for the agitator. Lacking other resources for breaking into print, the persons interested in condemning the picture and the theatre called to their aid a New Yorker who bought considerable newspaper space in which to print his name and to make remarks about Inspiration and the Alhambra. Mr. Goetz, being slightly sensitive about the success of his business and the clean name of a theatre well conducted since its establishrffent some two years ago, looked about for a means of vindication. Goetz chose the simple, direct way. Being very sure of his ground and very sure of the propriety and art merit of Inspiration, he plunged into print with a challenge and announced that he would put the picture “on trial before the public. He booked Inspiration for a return and proceeded to advertise the fact with generous space in the Middletown newspapers The next step was to engage Miss Munson to appear in person at the theatre, to pose before the ( Continued on page 17) a.-J^v Miinson Tomorrow That Great Picture inspiration ATTACKS ON THE ALHAMBRA ARE TO BE ANSWERED Woman Who Posed lor 'Inspiration' Pictures is to Appear in Person on Tuesday j' Attacks on ihe Alhambra Theatreas a result of the showing there oT | “Inspiration” a Mutual masterpiece, , i featuring Mies Audrey Munson, have ; Inspired .WtUtaci J. Goetz, the owner and manager, toaction Mr Goett. contend# that there Is uothlng in thla rather unusual photoiplay to warrant Adverse criticism ; of ' his theatre or of the production. By i way of anawer he announced today that he woud "pm the picture ^on trial.” By Bpecial arrangement through the Mutual Film Corporation In 'New York Miss Munson will appear In person tiefor the audiences at the Alhambra ln( a number.pl the poses Identical with those whidh have made her pictures I famous. i But little urging was required to ipIduce Miss Munson to come to Middle.tpwij when she was made aware of j the attitude of hei* critics here "I shall be happy to go up there and (stand before the very people who have had the bad taste to condemn the art of this picture." she remarked to Mr. Goetz when he was in New York yesterday completing the arrangements. “I dop’t mean to be defiant about It," continued Miss Munson, "I only be able to show that there is nothing bad about It at all. I think if ybody will «R down and look that cture over thoughtfully and wl clean open thlnd they will see 1 art and -beauty in it than anything else. I am honest yvlth myself when I say that I have done my best poojug in 'Inspiration.' It l_s a little palm ful to have it misunderstood FTcfo« ah'y. the people who have ha<l unkind thing* to aay did noFaee the picture, but only took the hearsay report he gossip. ••It In the first time in my rathe*1 acied artistic experience that 1 <ver .as brought Into contact with such . situation. Naturally I am a Uttle bit veted. I do not think there V erman In the world, ran look me iq the eye and say there Is anything wrong with 'Inspiration.' " '•Inspiration.'' tne Mutual mastery piece ifi question, has been shown at theatres all over the United States and has been passed 'by tM i A J stringent boards of censorship In country. It has been the subject of favorable comment 'by artists, sculpauthorltles in New York \\ and Ohlcago. • Mlsa Munson is knowh \\the world over as the girl model who ised for the statuary decorations at Panama Pacific Exposition, for figure on the Maine 'Monument tn .New York at the Columbus Circle ce to Central Park and for other famous works of sculp-] he picture shows her at her E^ith a bit of romance wrapped V . >put cm the picture again be-j *^nt to put it fairly and! u to the Judgment of Jhef. \ Mr. t YJT Alhambra foeKwo ai»4r and I h5ve feuttt a rep<>-[ On Trial By the Public “INSPIRATION” Miss Audrey M unison Because of unjustified criticism of this theatre incident to the showing of this famous photoplay, a Mutual Masterpicture from the Thaanhodser studios featuring one of the most beautiful women in America, I have decided to again present it, leaving a decision on its morals and merits to clean and fair-minded people of Middletown. Miss Munson has agreed to appear before the audiences of the Alhambra theatre in some of her characteristic poses to give a personal demonstration of her art. . She has posed for many famous sculptors and her figure gTaces the nations gteaT est monuments. This is my answer tv my critics. See “Inspiration” and see Miss Munson. W. J. GOETZ. ALHAMBRA THEATRE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 29th. MATINEE AND EVENING First Performance at 1 P. M. NO ADVANCE IN ADMISSIONS Specimens from advertising campaign conducted by Manager Goetz, in Middletozvn ( N . Y.) newspapers in successful opposition to the movement against showing of “Inspiration.” REEL LIFE— Page One