The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

wee ae ee ee www ee ee By THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. March 3, 1923. the Way: A Weekly Causerie on Trade Topics. HE annual meeting of the C.E.A., which took place | on Wednesday, resulted, as we anticipated, in Mr. J’. H. Dovener being elected to the VicePresidency. Mr. Dovener’s majority was a clear 100 votes over his next opponent, Mr. F. EB. Adams, and the surprise was to find that Mr. Kaye, the Leeds candidate, was at the bottom of the poll. In electing Mr. Dovener for this important position, the C.E.A. members have acted wisely, for there is no doubt that the Liverpool exhibitor is a shrewd business man whose advice and knowledge of the business will be of immense help to the new President, Mr. A. J. Gale. The election of Mr. Dovener came as no surprise, most of the members expecting that he would be returned at the top of the poll. The meeting passed off fairly satisfactory, the only excitement being the disfranchisement of the London ‘branch, which is fully dealt with on another page. New President’s Address. . | R. GALE, in his presidential address, referred to the question of film hire charges as being one of the most important matters for the consideration of exhibitors during the coming year, at the same time confessing that high prices of films were entirely due to exhibitors themselves. He advocated a conference with renters, although I cannot imagine that he is likely to meet with any great enthusiasm when he comes to discuss this matter with the members of the K.R.S. and Independent Renters. As has been said time and again in these columns, the question of film hire prices is entirely one for the individual exhibitor, and if he thinks he is being charged too much for his . film, then it is always open to him to go elsewhere and do better. Mr. Gale also dealt very briefly with the subjects of the Performing Rights Society and the film contract. These matters are to come up for discussion at the next General Council meeting. The new President is a very plain, matter-of-fact speaker, and does not believe in confusing issues by dazzling oratory, which, after all, is exactly the type of man that is necessary to this business. A full report of the Association’s proceedings will be seen on other pages in this issue. The New C.E.A. Contract. T would appear that the contract which the C.E.A. sent out to their delegates was not intended for discussion at the branches at all, and Mr. Gent appears to have erred in discussing this matter at the last meeting of the Sheffield branch. I understand that the suggested contract has been forwarded to the K.R.S. for approval, and is under consideration by that body at the present time. Meanwhile, it is not proposed to discuss the matter at any branch meeting of the C.E.A., but delegates were forwarded copies so that they may have it in their possession when the matter comes up for full discussion at the next General Council meeting. Of Scotch Parentage. R. THOMAS ORMISTON, the well-known renterexhibitor in Glasgow, has been mainly responsible for most of the clauses in this pro posed contract, and has expressed himself as fully satisfied with its contents, and he profoundly believes that it will be generally acceptable to the renters. I can imagine the K.R.S. will have something different to say on this matter, but, as it is now being considered by them, it would be unwise at this juncture to embarrass their proceedings. At any rate, it is to be sincerely hoped that inside the next month an agreement will be reached by both sides of the industry, as this matter is now reaching a very critical stage. The Genius of Will Hays. ILLIAM A. JOHNSTON, in the last issue of the ‘* Motion Picture News,’’ conveys a very sincere tribute to the genius of Will Hays in evolving the new contract in America, which has been accepted with entire satisfaction by every section of the industry. Mr. Johnston asserts that it was Mr. Hays who made possible the conferences, and brought them, by acting as guide, counsel and friend, to a.successful termination. ‘‘ For the first time in the history of motion pictures, ”’ asserts Mr. Johnson, ‘‘ men who in point of view have been held to be fundamentally opposed, met around a conference table and stayed there until they had thrashed out their differences, and until they had settled a question of vital importance. The great thing that has been accomplished is unity, or, at least, a long forward step towards unity; unity between the two branches of this industry which generally are at war.’’ Surely the leaders of our own industry will see the vast importance of this step. America has settled its differences on the question, and it is up to this country to do likewise. It has taken many months to do it on the other side, but it has been accomplished. There is a great lesson in this for the British film industry, and it is conveyed in the few words, ‘‘ Go thou and do likewise.’’ A Dreary Prologue. OUBTLESS with the idea of giving atmosphere to “‘ The Loves of Pharaoh,’’ the German film spectacle, which opened at the New Scala on Monday night, the management preceded the film with a one-act play dealing with the Valley of Kings, and entitled ‘‘ The Wisdom of Luxor.’’ The play is written round the discoveries of Pharach’s tomb, and anything more dreary and; dispiriting I have seldom seen. It is painful in these days, when one goes to see a big film production, to be bored by some uninspiring prologue, and in this case the limit was almost reached. It says much for ‘‘ The Loves of Pharaoh ”’ that this film gets over so well, considering the appalling boredom that precedes it. Mr. Clavering Not Leaving F.B.O. UMOUR has been very busy with the name of Mr. Arthur Clavering during the past week, it being . | freely stated that he was about to, resign the managing directorship of Film Booking Offices. I am very glad to give this an emphatic denial, as Mr. Clavering has no intention of severing his connection with this wellknown renting concern. His legion of friends in the trade will be exceedingly glad to know that Mr. Clavering is continuing at Soho Square, as it is doubtful whether any man is more respected in the film business than this popular renter. His shrewd outlook on matters pertaining to the industry, and a courteous and pleasing