Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-29
UNIFORM DESIRE
BETTER MOVIES"
FOR WATERVlLLE

The plan which has been started by
some of the leading educators and
members of the Women's Club in the
city for better moving pictures and
which came to head in the meeting
which was held at Coburn on Monday
evening is being talked of all over the
city. While a majority of the people
do not approve of the censor feature of
the plan as talked up, there is g. uni
form agreement that better pictures
would be better for the community.
That the moving picture theatres can
not be expected to bear the brunt of
educating the people to go to the high
er class pictures is also generously ad
mitted. There are of course some
cranks who say that the people do not
know what they want and that it is
the duty of some of those who feel that
they know about moral things better
than the general run of people, to so
censor the pictures that everyone will
be just right. but this Is not the gener-
al idea and 1t is not the idea which was
advanced at the meeting. The plan of
gradual education, the one which
found the most favor at the meeting, is
also the one which is favored the most
by the people who are talking about
the matter on the streets and in the
stores. That the meeting has started
the people all over the city to talking
and that something will come out of it
seems certain. At present it seems
probable that at the City Opera House
the plan will be tried of putting on for
do r,f
lures which will be all that the sin
cere critics of the movies will wish.
The present Paramount pictures which
are shown at the City Opera House
are admitted by all to be fully up to
the standard. They are clean, have
some of the best actors and actresses
IN the movies. as their stars, and in
general are on the whole above criti-
cism The travel pictures which are
also shown at the house are acceptable
TO everyone, as are the animated car
toons. which are clean and wholesome
run, but IT is in some of the serials that
the greatest objection is found and
these will probably be eliminated dur
ing the two-day tryout of the "hish
grade" pictures which it is hoped will
be- successful. The people who were
In attendance on the meeting of Mon
day night feel that they have simply
made start in the right direction and
II is for all the people of the city to
work the matter out. The Chamber of
Commerce will also take the matter ND
at an early meeting and just what ac-
ton will be taken 1t is hard to tell but
interviews with a number of the mem
cate that the Chamber will be ready to
do its part in making the pictures
which are shown in Waterville models
OF their kind. "Waterville is entertain
Ing during nine months of the wear
several hundred young men and young
women VINO are away from home, who
desire amusement and who are entitled
to the very best kind Of amusement
that 1t is possible for the people Of the
city OF Waterville to give them. Con-
dltlons are now such that the moving
pictures constitute one Of the standard
FEATURES OF recreation in the life OF the
majority Of these pupils and of a great
many other people Of the city, and II Is
the duty Of the city to see that these
pictures are clean and wholesome and
tnat they are also of such a nature az
VIII interest and amuse," said a promi
nent "aterville man In speaking of the
matter He was not at the meeting
Monday night but the movement had
MS 1uil sympathy. Manager Kelliher
Q! the CITY Opera House has expressed
nimseI as being perfectly willing to do
ms share in lettering conditions but
iike any other practical business man
reels that he should not be asked IN
pear the cost Of it and if the peonle
WIN attend the pictures Of the higher
order he will be only too pleased 90 rr.
tnem. The movement win douh+,s..
De watched with a great dea, ~ irte.'
cot al over the State.