PICTURE PEOPLE AND PUBLIC

Evening Star, Issue 19456, 14 January 1927, Page 3

PICTURE PEOPLE AND PUBLIC

Correspondence on this topic will not be accepted for publication after receipt of to-morrow morning’s mail. The final batch of letters will appear in to-morrow’s issue. We have received a letter from “ExManager” (northern pictures). It deals with the business organisation of the picture theatres and film supplies companies generally, and we do not propose to open up a discussion on this aspect of tho question. Thus Mick Austin: The managements of tho various picture shows are making a big challenge about .their shows being on a equality with the picture shows in other places, but I am positive that none of them can equal the night’s entertainment that is given in Invercargill. In that town the show starts at 7.15 p.m., and generally goes on till 10.15. with an interval. The so-called super-pictures for which they raise tho prices hero are in Invercargill just one of the items, as there is always another long reel picture as well, besides tho usual supports of comics, news reel, and so on. and sometimes a vaudeville act as well. In addition there is an orchestra equally as good ns any of the Dunedin’s. All this is given without any raising of prices.

“Kinema” writes: Having for some years been a regular patron of Dunedin picture theatres, particularly the Empire, I beg a little of your space to air my personal views regarding tho present interesting controversy. I do not profess to bo an artist, either in letter writing or in tho subject of orchestral music, but I am quite capable of saying what I mean. First and foremost, I and my friends have gone to the Empire on a Saturday night, paid _2s for back stalls seats, and on entering the theatre been informed that “ the back stalls are full; there’s a few seats in the front stalls if you care to take them.” With no mention of refund, we had to take them or got out. The mere fact of this occurrence alone shows the necessity for a review' of methods. I will admit I have only had this occur once myself, hut I have friends who have had the same thing happen. Regarding tho prices charged here compared with other centres, all I can say is that I know for a fact that the prices are higher here. In Christchurch a few' weeks ago I got an excellent seat in the dress circle, from 7 tilL 10.30, for one shilling. Again, at Christmas I paid Is 6d for reserved seats (back stalls) in tho same city. Another item of no small importance! The side seats of tho stalls of the Empire are in fours. One goes early to secure a good seat, yet about 7.30 the usher asks the four unfortunates concerned to move up and make room for another. This does not happen now and again, hut has happened every time I have been for the last few months. The result is_ that three of tho five are sitting midway between two seats, a most uncomfortable position. The arguments for and against the orchestras are many, but I myself think that both tho Octagon and Empire orchestras are excellent. At any rate they are there to accompany the pictures, and not to provide an orchestral concert; so why tho severe criticisms?

From “Interested”: This being my entrance into tho contrvcrsy, I would like first of all to address a few questions to the Dunedin picture theatre managers. Firstly, do they consider that they have acted with intelligence in withdrawing their advertisements from the ’ Evening Star ’ because the said journal has seen fit to publish letters giving an opinion of the entertainments offered? Ts the public, then, expected to bo guided entirely by those providing tho entertainment, who will naturally boost their pictures? It would appear from tho action taken that tho managers do nob wish the defects in their performances made known to tho public. Let the public pay its money first, and then find out if tho performance is any good. Secondly, do these gentlemen consider that tho pictures shown are always of the best, and calculated to improve the mind? It has been said, and rightly, that tho films play a big part in influencing the public mind, and if pictures in which the moral tone is distasteful are to bo continuously shown, what is to bo expected from tho rising generation? Thirdly, why. when a picture a little out of the ordinary comes, are tho prices almost invariably raised? Is it because on seeing an increase in the prices the. public is intended to assume that the picture is one of exceptional merit? I have just returned from tho North Island, and while in Auckland I saw ‘ Tho Black Pirate,’ featuring Dougins Fairbanks. When this picture comes to Dunedin it will ho interesting to observe tho prices charged for admission. This picture was shown in Auckland at the Majestic, a theatre far and away superior to any in Dunedin—in fact, it makes some Dunedin theatres look like barns in comparison. fn these surroundings, plus a good orchestra and courteous attention, the entertainment cost no more than reserved seats do here. In conclusion, T would like to state the opinion that those who seek to bridle tho Press are simply bringing down a storm of protest and criticism upon their heads. Tho newspapers are quite right in publishing the opinions of their readers, and by doing so are simply carrying into effect one of tho greatest privileges they confer upon the public. In tho present dispute I consider that the Dunedin picture theatre managers, instead of conducting themselves like sane business men, haro behaved like a. lot of hoys. Their action in withdrawing their advertisements is ridiculous in the extreme, and instead of catering for the public convenience, as they like to tell us they do. they have simply made things more awkward for tho picture-goer, and at tho same time made themselves the laughing stock of Dunedin.