Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-26
SEEK TO INCREASE
ADMISSION PRICE
TO MOVIE THEATRES
Concerted Movement Under
Way Caused by Added
Cost Of Film Production.
Other News.

The movement to increase the price Of
admission TO photoplay houses Is gain
ing new adherents daily. Picture ideals
have grown as fast as picture popularity
The best picture of six years ago Is the
poorest Of today. Some OF the current
multiple reel features cost as much to
produce as whole years output Of the
ordinary films Of early days. No single
factor in the business can be either
credited with or blamed for that condl-
tion. And the public must pay for II
In larger admission prices; for the ex-
hibitor must pay more to tho exchange
and the exchange must pay more TO the
manufacturer.
Several of the larger producers are pub
| llcly advocating higher admission prices.
One company has gone so far as 20 deny
| bookings OF It's more expensive produc-
| tions to theatres charging only cents
| admission.
| Reels of films whose producing cost was
thousand dollars went into the con-
struction of n nickel program. Feature
| productions costing a hundred thousand
! dollars have no broader field; they can
| not bring into the business hundred
| times as many nlcksls. So they must
| get proportionately higher rate-15
cents, 25 cents, perhaps even a dollar.
| They are cheap at that price, compare
| lively speaking The higher admission
rate is undoubtedly justified. and the
manufacturers who advocate It are doing
n good work.
Thousands, hundreds of thousands of
people have gradually worked UP to an
| expenditure for picture theatre attend
ance MS great as they could ever make
for higher priced entertainment. The
neighborhood theatre has brought this
condition about by cultivating the habit
of very frequent attendance. 1t is not
unupsual to find people who go every
evening, and those who go three or four
| times a week are common, including the
| family. that means perhaps dollar
| week or more. No doubt good many
of them would be glad to concentrate
| that sum upon one show of superior quail
ity. But with their appropriation spent
''all in one place" what can they do with
the rest of the week?
NEW MOVIE FIELDS.
The recognized need for motion pictures
in the religious and educational field is
apparent TO every one. Many OF the pro-
ducers Of motion pictures have pandered
to the demand for low nelodrama, blood
thirsty wild West tales, burglaries and
rating influence Of some of the motion
pictures is being shown, It is a we'll
known fact that 30 per cent. OF all the
Impressions that reach the human brain
como through the eve. The motion plo-
| ture is one of the most effective instru-
mentalities ever invented for the broad
| ening of the field of human knowledge
| through INSTALLATION.
The Religious and Educational Motion
| Picture Society located In this city has
Just been organized for tho purpose %
utilizing the churches and Y. M. G. A.
halls throughout the United States and
Canada for the showing OF high-grade
religious. educational, scientific, indus
trial and travel motion picture films, for
which there is at present an enormous
demand. Preparations are now being
made to flm Biblical dramas. together
with the striking scenes from the Now
Testament. These pictures will constl-
tute the greatest contribution that has
been made to Christian literature, and
viii stimulate in millions a larger in
terest in Bible study, making the church
increasingly efficient In every community
where they are shown. The scientific de-
partment will film many of the wonders
of the microscope. The history depart
ment proposes to show the history of the
Oulleu Slhleo' DOIH Dy othleS ana IN
presidential periods.
Among the men who are associated with
this movement are the Rev. Floyd Tom
klns. DR.. David Starr Jordan, Theodore
N. Vail, DIR. Isaac Sharpless, George
Erasmus Nitsche and many others.
ANOTHER MOVIE CONVERT.
Critics the country over have remarked.
TO somewhat noticeable extent on a
certain esotsric quality possessed by the
acting OF Dorothy Donnelly. creator OF
Madame X" who portrays the weak
but loving wife in 'rhe Thief" Henry
Bernstein's masterpiece, which enjoyed a
two years run at the Lyceum Theatre.
New York city and is now filmed by the
Box once Attractions Company. Miss
Donnelly Is an actress OF ability and
fnish, bringing 10 everything she doSs
a touch Of distinction and a hneness OF
perception which stamps all her work
with the unmistakable mark which dis
tinguishes genius from mere talent.