THE PICTURE PETITION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 8

THE PICTURE PETITION

Sir,—l will be grateful to you if you will allow mo this one reply io "Charlie Chaplin" and then I will retire, leaving l:hc amusement-loving public to seriously consider whether the eo-callcd petition is worth support or int. C'licoro! Charlie. Welcome to New Zealand and newspaper publicity. Had no idea you had yet arrived. I have been awaiting your return in "Shoulder Arms." You are certainly welcome, but. if you are going to put up your prices again I will do all 1 can to prove you are profiteering. Firslly, Charles, are you one of our local managers? I suspect you are, and naturally concerned to learn that people aro beginning to jib, not only at prices, but also at Hie class of programme submitted. Yon prate about increased costs, films, wages, etc. My answer to your argument of increased cost is; You have made it possible to meet this increase by combination. Wo have four theatres m ihis town which use pictures in turn each night. Anyono who patronises the piclure shows knows the same Gazette travels round the town. The picture .1 Dog's Life" has been at the Ivings, Everybody's, Newtown, and Emmets. I'ictures old and stale are dished up regularly, yet wo have to pay increase and tax. 'l. still hold that there is an mcrease, for I luivc vivid recollections of paying 3d. and Gd. and seeing better programmes than have been the rule tor somo long time. Two theatres in this town used to linnd round t<\i tne afternoon performances. 1 paid 2s. 7d. to cts "Mickey" and had to endure the torture of a. seat with broken springs. I have, for Gd. (best seat), bad in a programme, Gazette, scenic, industries, two comedies and drama. This was a usual programme, and compare it with what wo get to-day, viz.. one drama, one comic, one Gazette, and often not. even the three. So, briefly, against increased charges wo havo combination, reduction of programme, and repetition. Now "Charles,' to your offer. I make Saturday night mv picture night and am prepared tn accept vour offer. Suppose vou and 1 go and see "Mickey" on Saturday night and see what sort of a reception your nimble ninepence will get. Am I not correct in saying that only one theatre in town has "not increased the Saturday

night prices? If you do not pare to gq to see "Mickey" I will wait till "Shoulder Arms" comes, and wo will try to spend ninepenco then. Look at programmes and, priccs squnrely and muko n. liold hid on your own, give a moro varied programme at n more reasonable price, and as a manager you will do well. Au revoir, "Charlie."—l am, etc., VICTIM.

P.S.—You ignoro municipal pictures I notice. Why, I wonder? Why are prices not usually published?

Sir—Ro "Victim's" letter in this morning's paper concerning the picture pelition. I consider myself another victim, as during the last seven years I liavo been a regular Attendant n't the picture theatres, consequently I feel I nave a. right to protest against the present im- ' reasonable prices of admission. In my opinion there are only two theatre.-:, three at the very most, where the musio and programme justify them to cbargit Is. Id. in the stalls. The Government was considering tho working class when they did not put a tax on the Gd. ticket; they recognised that it was the working poople's amusement and acted accordingly. I would not sign the petition, and any working ninn or woman who does, are doing it without considering. If fum ther reduction in power and coal 13 needed, let the essentials have it and not the picture shows.—l am, etc., .VICTIM NO. 2. August 20.