The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-09-29
AMUSEMENT COMPANY
MAKES STATEMENT

cation submitted to your office by ReN
w. II. Boldly.
The connection between the show
ing, of a widely read book, in motto
pictures, and the Arbuckle case in Sa
Francisco is entirely beyond our com
prehension, but brief mention of tn
Arbuckle case in connection with any
thing pertaining to the movies, n
doubt, is enlightening and helps t
stimulate interest.
This, however, only seems to shoy
the determination that exists in man,
quarters to paint the personnel of tn
whole industry in lurid colors ant
charge an individuals indiscretion t,
the account of the whole business. l
will be recalled, for instance, that tn,
head of great financial institution
was involved in some very sensational
charges only few short months ago
yet the press did not set up cry foI
an investigation of the banking bust
ness; neither did it predict that the
banking business must clean house
We, as owners of the theatres in HooC
River, are as much part of the mo-
tion picture industry as any one else ir
it and can see no reason why the show
ing of picture by men connected with
the industry should be in any way con-
nected with the San Francisco incident
no matter how adroitly phrased the
wording may be.
The picture in question was a screen
ing of Zane Grey's desert of Wheat, 3"
produced under the title of "The Rid
ers Of the Dawn" and which we un-
derstand is one Of the best sellers ever
written by this popular author. The
book, no doubt, has enjoyed very
large circulation in Hood River, as it
has in other localities, yet when it is
produced in pictures it is bitterly CEN
sored. Events told by the author and
pictured by the director are nothing
more nor less than romance woven
about a series of stirring Incidents in
the eastern Oregon and Washington
country just preceding and during the
war period when the wheat ranchers
were sorely troubled by the activities
of the |. w. w.
1t seems unjust and unfair to con-
demn picture after the book from
which it is taken has been allowed in
practically every home and public Ii
brary. We, as theatre operatives. are
ready at all times to procure any pic
ture that the Hood River public wants
and to date have shown them some of
the biggest attractions on the screen.
We have shown pictures from the four
first run Portland houses, every one of
which has been passed by the National
Board of Review and the Portland
Board of Censors. We have been ready
at all times to cooperate with any per-
son or body of persons in bringing to
Hood River anything that they may
care to see. Our efforts have been
devoted to giving them theatre that
they may point to with pride and at
times we have very thankless job
On our hands.
We can safely say that there isn't
town in the entire state that enjoys
better grade of motion pictures than
are shown in Hood River, and as for a
special fund to protect the morals of
The children who may visit either of
lur theatres we are absolutely at a !
oss to understand why such fund is |
A child may pick up pa
Der and read the whole sOrdid details |
IF a murder, brutal attack on a |
young girl. or the entire description
If daring robbery and nothing is
thought of it. yet picture that is pro-
iuced by men who have ideals and who
are trying to make their product some
hing that will not offend the most
'astidious and still please the masses
must have reams of criticism and CEN
iorship to unrayel before he can show
t on a screen. Then after duly ap-
pointed government and city censors
lee the product. pass on its merits, cut
,ut portions of it, and announce it may |
)e shown, anyone, no matter who, can |
lee the picture and their word con-
lemns it. We have found that most of |
he condemnation of the screen is usu- |
lily made by someone who is either |
grossly misinfOrmed or who hardly if |
,ver attends show, but we know that |
,ur efforts have been to give the pub |
ic better things and our releases to |
late have been absolutely as fine a |
quality as shown anywhere. Pictures
shown in Hood River are no different |
han those shown in Portland or any |
,ther large center.
The word of praise is usually the |
asst thing the Snowman hears people |
.ome to be entertained, and if they are |
is what they expected and it's a mat |
er of course; it's the condemnation |
md the criticism we hear first. No |
loubt there were many people who en- |
Dyed THE Desert of Wheat. yet |
hey are the ones who do not speak up (; |
is the one or two who happen to take |
exception to the picture who make an |
,utcry and do more harm than good. |
Ne are trying to please everyone and |
want their support, and have already |
assured Rev. Boldly that we stand |
eady at any and all times to bring any |
picture he NAV name to Hood River |
md all we ask is the hearty support of |
he community. Empty chairs will not |
lut the big attractions on the stage or |
creen. We have theatre that can
how anything that can be shown in |
cortland The box office is our guide. |
.et us know what is wanted; We'll get |
{, but support has to be accorded on |
he bigger offerings.
Theatre men of the United States, in
conjunction with the foremost educa-
Ors. are now working on a plan that |
will put the theatres of the country at |
he disposal Of the schools for a GER
ain number Of houses each week for |
he purpose Of showing, rather than
elling, educational subjects which can |
le handled SO much better in this way. |
We want our houses TO be institu |
ions in the town, not merely the /
movie, and q credit to the community. |
.etters like the one published do no |
me any good. We are all human and |
We therefore all make mistakes, but a
instead of an antagonistic 1
pirit is what is needed in order for US
IN to pull together. Motion pictures
IRE too big an industry for the frailties
r shortcomings Of a foolish few to
lurt and we are proud TO be associated 1
n the showing Of this form of amuse-
nent. but we want you all to feel that
he theatres. are your places Of amuse-
nent What YOU want. we'll get. A 1
Granger comes into town, sees a show /
hat does not appeal 70 her, and i'm
nediatelv the picture shows are inde-