Wid's year book (1918)

-n Government’s Recognition of Screen In my judgment, the most important development in the motion picture industry for the past year, is the recognition by all the important governments of the world and their various agencies, that the motion picture is the greatest means of thought transmission so far known to man, combined with the thorough realization, on the part of the industry, that so potent a vehicle of education and influence carries with is a corresponding responsibility. As applied to our country, the motion picture has be¬ come the school of patriotism for the American people, as well as the principal agency of the Government in the war education of its citizens and their resulting duties. WALTER W. IRWIN, Vice Pres, and General Manager, Vitagraph Co. Humanizing Effect of the War In my opinion the greatest happening in the motion picture industry during the year is the sobering and humanizing effect of the war. There has been too much quackery and unreality in the motion picture. Too many producers had an idea that they could get by with trickery and spectacular stuff that had neither truth nor heart appeal. The heroic effort and sacrifice we have been forced to undergo in this desperate struggle as a nation has compelled us to realize that the greatest thing in the world is human nature, after all. We are getting down to the funda¬ mentals. In timefe of great stress and anxiety we are naturally serious-minded, but we also require the saving grace of humor to keep us out of the dumps. The motion picture reflects life, and whatever affects life affects the motion picture. The kind of pictures in demand now are those that tell us the truth about life and at the same time spread a wholesome and cheery influence that gives us heart to meet all tests of courage and sacrifice. War is responsible for a great many things that are evil. But its influence on the motion picture is of the most salutary sort. FRANK A. KEENEY, Pres. Frank A. Keeney Corp. Recognizing Good Quality Aside from the fact that our Government has classed the motion picture as an essential industry, I believe the next important tendency is the recognition of good stories and good directors, both of which are necessary in the making of successful photoplays. With best wishes for your continued success, I am, E. O. WEINBERG, Elmwood Theatre Co., Buffalo, N. Y. More Liberal Booking Policy I think the most important item of the past year has been the more liberal policy shown in regards to open booking, by producer, distributor and exhibitor. Second, the chance to try in a practical way, the co¬ operative plan by exhibitors. Third, that WID’S DAILY is not afraid to defend the exhibitor where they feel an injustice is being done, whether on the production of pictures or their merits, contracts, etc., etc. THOMAS FURNISS, Manager Bushwick Amusement Co. Duluth, Minn. Success of Bigger Pictures The most satisfactory thing in the motion picture business of the past year, in my opinion, is the suc¬ cessful production of bigger pictures, marking the tend¬ ency towards that much desired goal — THE OPEN MARKET — resulting in the elevation of the business by elimination of cheap pictures. J. D. WILLIAMS, Manager First Nat’l Exhibitors’ Circuit Centralization and Co=operation Amid the marked progress in the motion picture in¬ dustry, progress eloquently attested by the magnificent service the industry has rendered, and is still rendering to the nation, whether in speeding up Liberty Loans or spreading the message of the Government through the land — there stands out, in my opinion, that vital ac¬ complishment the crystalization into definite working form, of what has hitherto been merely a recognized but intangible trend towards economic centralization, and tendency towards unity of effort which should em¬ brace production, distribution and exhibition of motion picture product. Centralization and co-operation are no longer mere tendencies and trends, but recognized and essential foi'ces already in operation. Just as on the fields of Europe the once haphazard, unco-ordinated, though well meant Allied efforts to victory produced wasteful and partially disappointing results, and just as Allied success is now here because of co-operative action unified by centralization, so the instrument of progressive and enduring success for the exhibitor army in the motion picture field, namely or¬ ganized cost-reducing co-operation and waste-saving Centralization, is. I am confident, to-day not merely at hand, but already arrived. J. A. BERST. Pres. United Picture Theatres, Inc. Propaganda Work of Stars I may say emphatically that I believe the co-opera¬ tion between the stars of the screen and the producers, as well as others engaged in the various details of pic¬ ture making, in the great drive for the Fourth Liberty Loan, outshines anything else that has happened in the past twelve months. This co-operation and the resultant output has wonderfully demonstrated the power of the screen as a medium for expression of invaluable propaganda, and its possibilities for the awakening of the greater spirit of patriotic service. I may with justice mention the really splendid propa¬ ganda pictures for this campaign which were made by such stars as Mary Pickford. Douglas Fairbanks, Wal¬ lace Reid, Roscoe Arbuckle, Mack Sennett, Wm. S. Hart. Dorothy Dalton, Enid Bennett, Charles Ray, Lillian Gish, of our own and allied companies, as well as those produced by other companies with their most prominent stars. These films will carry home to the people of America as nothing else could possibly do, the great message of the United States Treasury Department, the Nation’s appeal to its people to provide the sinews of war, in the struggle against Prussianism. JESSE L. LASKY, First Vice President. Famous PlayersLasky Corp. S :0