The New York herald., 1921-01-12
CAMPAIGN STARTED
FOR BETTER MOVIES
League Would Appeal for Ere
Quent Attendance of En-
tire Families.

A country wide campaign for the elm
ination of the crime school, grossly sug-
gestive and ultra morbid types OF photo
plays was urged yesterday by speakers at
meeting OF the Motion Picture League
fer Better Pictures at the Hotel Plaza. AS
substitute for Federal control the or
ganization hopes to develop a M. +. T.
Merit Seal which will always indicate
a wholesome picture for family attend
ance and upon which the public can
rely as always assuring unoDjectionable
entertainment.
The proposed programme also in
cludes the assurance of greater patron
age for better productions through Or
ganized support OF meritorious pictures
and greater profits for producers and
exhibitors through a reasonable admis-
sion price which will permit more fire.
quent attendance Of entire families.
Details of the plan to be adopted in
carrying on the campaign are to be
worked out by a committe named yes
terday which Is made up OF John A.
Quinn, president Of the league, who will
represent the motion picture industry
Frank Bacon. representing the theatrical
profession DIR. Robert Watson, presi-
dent OF the National Federation OF In
ternatlonal Reform Bureaus. acting for
the Protestant churches Charles a.
Mcmahon OF the National Catholic Well
fare Bureau and Mrs. Sidney Borg of
the Federated Jewish Women.
All the speakers condemned most Of
the motion picture plays offered TO the
public at present as being vicious. in
artistic and In many cases stupidity un-
interesting. Stephen Bush. motion
picture editor OF the Bill Board Maga-
zine. blamed the highly centralized
method OF film distribution for the
trouble. He said that exhibitors wished
to please the public, but that they were
forced to take the pictures offered by
the producers. He thought conditions
could be remedied through public
opinion and said he wanted the pro-
market with their films.
Mr.. Quinn held that sensational pic
lures. flamboyant advertising and stars
were not necessary for the commercial
success OF a picture. In support Of his
contention he told OF an experimental
photoplay written by an unknown au-
thor and with unknown actors in the
cast, which was put upon the screen in
Los Angeles without the usual advertls-
ing. 1t broke all previous records Cor
attendance. he said.
The Rev DR.. Percy S Yer of the
Protestant Episcopal Church Of the In
carnation decial cd that amusement and
recreation was nccss r" TO the devel-
opment of lie ard sad that reformers
often did great harm through lack Of
Intelligence and information. AS an In
stance. he cited the action OF the w. G.
T. u. I'm procuring the abolition OF the
canteen at army posts. which resulted
he said, in the appearance Of low grog
shops In the vicinity of military reserva-
tions and increased drunkenness among
soldiers. He felt that the league had a
great work 10 perform in revitaiizing
the motion picture industry because. he
explained. the movies play such am eX-
tremely important part in the develop
ment of childish minds.
Others speakers were Mr.. Mcmahon.
who presided Frank Bacon. Katherine
r. Smith OF the Protestant Unity
League and Mrs. Winifred SaclSyille
Sfoner