The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-29
M E N, w o N E N A ND T HIN G s


 The Age-Herald was certainly do ing business on Monday on Third avenue between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets. The doll show at Holcombes and the picture at the Rialto both drawing crowds and add ing life to the avenue.
 Now am used to being called on to do many different things, but l freely confess that my role as master of ceremonies at the opening of a new movie house was a bit out of the ordinary. and yet enjoyed it and was glad to have part in it.
 The function of a modern newspa- per is enlarging, and the public is accustomed to having tho dailies un- dertake things which strictly speak ing may not be looked upon as part of journalism; but I am glad that the sphere of the publishers is widening and that the editors are willing to Btl III Dtulltu Nstl nus AOIithuAitS terprises both civic and commercial.
 The Age Herald was host on Mon day at the formal opening of the Rialto theatre, which had been thor oughly remodeled and beautified the two big features of the improvements being the installation of an immense pipe organ and modern cooling sys- tenn; both of which proved to be a success and rec eived much favorable criticism on the part of the first nighters.
 Messrs. Mudd and Colley left noth- ing undone in the fitting up Of the Rialto which |money could buy in the way of comfort for their patrons, believing that the public Was entitled to easy chairs, cdol air and taste ful decorations. It is easy, however, to make the physical surroundings of q theatre pleasant and attractive, but the acid test comes in the class of plays or pictures given.
 We might as well face squarely the question of amusements. It can not be settled by any one class what form they will take, for as long as there are people of different tenn peraments and variety of culture, just so long will it be necessary to pro vide an outlet which will satisfy all. Amusem ents cannot be imposed on persons any more successfully than religion, and large latitude must be allowed in both The numerous sects give evidence to the fact that modern men and women are selective in mat ters of faith just as baseball, foot ball, basketball, Annis, golf show forth the same thing in athletic sports.
 There is still wider range of choice when it comes to those amuse- ments wLich are classed under the head of theatrical. One likes tragedy, another comedy, another sex problem these coming under the head of the legitimate drama. Then comes a wide range of acts, whcn are punched under vaudeville. In music there is a choice from the soloist to grand opera. It is hard matter to settle, and in a large measure the choice must be left to the individual.
 
 l have not attempted to cover all of the forms of pleasure even offered in the theatre, the opera, or vaude- vile houses; but no one will dispute the fact that the greatest form of amusement in the twentieth century is the movies, ranging from the one night a week in improvised store houses in the country towns to the million dollar palaces in the great metropolitan cities. Taer growth has been the marvel of the amusement world
 Now l believe the movie is here to stay and that it is a waste of time for certain reformers to fight against them. In my opinion they offer as does baseball the greatest chance for the general public in large numbers to find recreation. 1 have fought for clean baseball just as l stand for clean pictures. Human nature being what it is and producers of plays being human just like their audi ences I do not expect to sec all of the salacious pieces eliminated as long as there is demand for them and they prove profitable.
 But every man and woman has a chance to throw the weight of their patronage to the houses which fea- ture the better type of pictures. Take, for instance, the opening picture at the Rialto which many saw on Mon day. The Lesson of Love-" as played by Constance Talmadge. was the best type of a picture from the viewpoint of clean and amusing comedy It was joy to watch the reels unwind and hear the laughter bubble up from every part of the house.
 was sorry that Mrs Wallace. the censor was out of the city, but was glad to introduce Commissioner John Hornady, who in his usual felicitious manner, had something to say about the history of motion pictures in Bir- mlneham l heartily congratulate Messrs Mudd and Colley. and feel sure that their offerings at the Rialto will be up to a high standard.
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