The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-07-11
RIOTS To Be STAGED
TOBOOST PHOTOPLAY
New York Trade Magazine Adj
Wses Theater Managers to
Plant Red Flags.
LABOR DEPT is AROUSED
Secretary Wilson Calls Upon Other
Departments TO Aid in Stopping
Move Calculated to Produce.
Violent Disorder"

New York-A new "anti-Bolshe-
vik" motion picture win be promoted
by staging riots, if the advice of the
Motion Picture World, a prominent
New York magazine, is followed by
local theater managers.
In its issue dated April 10, this
magazine carries a four-page flaming
red advertisement Of Thomas .Dixons
"BolsheTism on Trial. taken from his
recent novel Comrades" and a full
page Of editorial advice on how to
boost it for local managers.
put up red flags about town and
hire soldiers to tear them down, if
necessary runs the advice, and then
come out with flaming handful, ex-
planning that the play is not an argu-
ment for anarchy"
AS a reward for success in produc-
ing a riot at this time, the Motion
Picture World holds out the follow
ing:
Work out the limit on this, and
you'll not. only clean up, but profit on
future business
Would Use Ministers.
Il addition the local hangers are
usged to get ministers to preach on
the subject OF bolshevism, to persuade
employers to buy blocks of seats for
their employees, and to start letter
writing. series in the local papers.
When this attempt to disturb the
peace for profits was brought to the
attention Of Secretary Of Labor Will
son he at once urged the postmaster
general and the attorney general to
take action against the Motion Picture
world.
Never in all my life have l seen
more dangerous editorial advice" Sec
rotary Wilson wrote the postmaster
general 1T is calculated to produce
violent disorder wherever the play may
be advertised in the manner proposed"
In asking the attorney general to
take action he said: cat a time when
our country is struggling with the
problem OF readjustment from war to
a peace basis, when there Is Of neces-
sity great difficulty in making read
justments and a consequent spirit
of unrest, this. publication proposes by
deceptive methods of advertising to
stir every community in the United
7 States into riotOus demonstrations for
the purpose Of making profits for the
moving picture business and the own
ers of this particular photoplay
call this to your attention so that you
may take such action as you think
appropriate and legally possible"
Against All Reform.
The play undoubtedly has the back
ing of several special interest organ
izations Of recent growth, the purpose
Of which is not to oppose bolshevism
as it is known in Russia or Europe,
but to strike at all reform movements
Prominent among these organizations
is the National Defense league and
| the American Anti-Bolsheviki associa-
ton, which appear to be taking up
the work Of the now thoroughly dis
credited National Security league.
The National Security league was
organized my certain special interests
to strike at ali reform under the mask
of patriotism and promoung the war.
/ Now that the war is over the same
groups are using the so-called boIshe-
| visit DOGGY and new organizations for
the same purpose. The use of motion
pictures to put over their propaganda
is prominent in the new plans. They
will thus reach many who are not
+. reached by the controlled press.
| How the play can be turned against
+. reform, not only by advertising but
/ by general press work, is indicated in
/ the Motion Picture Worlds advice as
| to how to stir up the Socialists in the
larger cities:
Let the management write a cou-
pie Of letters to the press attacking
the sociaistic story and linking it up
with bolsheyism. There is almost GER
/ tain, to be a reply from some local
high thinker. The battle is on.
Work gradually to the contention
that socialism will not be possible in
this OF the succeeding generation be-
cause people are not yet prepared for
! liberty SuCu DIS SOCldIISuI d1luS DIT. All
/ of this should be worked under a
t pseudonym.
*Then come out under your own
signature and apparently get into the
controversy for the first time. If you
! can write cleverly Or can get some
one to do it for you, you can run for
| couple weeks on the local daily
without ever suggesting that the dis
cussion has any advertising intent
Hire Soldiers for Stunt.
''Have a special showing for school
children. Work all of the crowd
/ stunts. Put up red flags about town
and hire soldiers to tear them down,
If necessary, and then come out with
flaming handful. explaining that the
play is not an argument for anarchy,
Have the bills ready printed that you
] may get them out quickly or the idea
may boomerang
Daily Thought.
Good company and good discourss