Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-26
Music and the
Mouie Manager
Editorial in New York Metronome.

1t does seem strange that whenever an
argument arises between the manage
ment of any theater or picture show and
the orchestra, the musicians and leaders
are invariably conde mned as being in the
wrong. no matter what the argument
might be. Here is clipping from a new
motion picture magazine called Film
Fun" which may serve as an example:
THE Musicians Union in Cincinnati has
brought the motion picture business OF
that city into the iimelight. The musi-
clans have struck. That is, some of them
have struck. The strike is aimed at the
orchestrations employed in some OF the
smaller houses. The Musicians Union
obie cts to a 'oneman orchestra. They
say it is taking the bread and sausages
right out of their mouths. They demand
at least a three-man orchestra in the
motion picture houses.
The quality of the music is not at
tackled. 1t is the quantity that is so Sc
riously considered. The Musicians Union
further demands that where an auto
matte piano be employed by any motion
picture house, Il member of the union be
installed to watch it and see that it does
not solder on the job.
Down with the orchestrations! is the
cry OF the musicians.
The motion picture managers met to
solemnly discuss the action of the Mu-
sicians Union. They agreed that what
had never been in the mouth could not
be taken from the mouth. They realized
that bread and sausages come very han
dy in the mouth of Il musician, but they
pointed out wisely that as in the past
no orchestrIs at all had been employed
in the motion picture houses that are
Just opening up. the musicians really had
no kick coming, as they could not lose
lob they never had.
In the meantime the audiences throng
to the motion picture houses in Cincin-
natl, never dreaming of the portentious
blow that has been aimed at the musical
programs Of the screen drama. For as
long as the audiences do not strike, the
-how may proceed
When any trade or professions endeav-
Or to advance its interests nobody
thinks OF interfering or objecting, but let
a musicians union or an orchestra put in
AN objection or demand certain amount
of recognition, and what happonsI His
royal maic5ty, the theatrical manager, IL
Immediately offended. A. set forth IN
the above clipping. he calls his brother
managers together and they argue.
sometimes lutF ulEht lol a lNiFt H'Aht-
times for a short time; sometimes it may
be wisely, hut whatever may b. the out
come, it never will be in favor of the
musicians. What OF it if union objects
to a ''one.man orchestral Aren't they
entitled to look after the interests OF
their members, in the face of the man
agcr and his union pcrpctually and ever
lastingly looking out for their own in
tercsts, first, last and all the timer
There was time when the title of
manager" meant something. IL stood
for n man with artistic ideals, and one
who had a proper sense for the fitness of
things as far as all-round artistic effects
and results Were concerned.
Nowadays the title of manager can be
assumed by anyone who has the ncccs-
sary money to rent theater and pay
the expenses. All that il deemed neces-
snry is good shrewd understanding for
business and strict attention TO three
rules: Dl To save money. l2l To save
more money. i3l To save as much
money as possible. This is all that the
average manager can think of. The last
sentence of the above clipping reads;
For as long as the audiences do not
strike, the show may proceed"
This is the key to the whole matter,
and the managers work their game on
the strength OF it to perfection. Music,
which is such an important factor in
movie productions. means nothing to
them but additional expense. A. long as
the audiences would stand for it, any
hand organ or rattle-trap combination
would suffice. But the day is sure to
come when the public in general and the
moving picture audiences in particular,
viii not put up with the money grabbing
policies OF many of our managers, re-
gardlcss of whether the musicians eat
bread and sansagcs or bread and terrapin
stew the time is coming when audiences
will insist on good orchestras and the
managers will have to give IL to them
or lose their business.