PICTURE-MEN'S FUNCTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3028, 15 March 1917, Page 7

PICTURE-MEN'S FUNCTION

DINNER AT THE GRAND HOTEL. There 'was a representative gathering of picture showmen and Pressmou to meet Mr. Alee Lorimore, the representative of tho Famous Players-LasKy Film Corporation at the Grand Hotel last ovening. After dinner, Mr. Lorimoro was introduced by Mr. Albeit Boyce (representative in New . Zealand | for tho Paramount service), and the visitor explained his mission in coming to New Zealand. His people, who, represented 2i!J' million dollars, were dissatisfied with tho manner in which certain films Wero being handled in Australia, and had sent him along to investigate the mattor. He had found that tho only way out of the difficulty facing them was to take over the distribution of the films, and making a clean start all over again, This they had done, and the result was satisfactory. H« knew that in the past matters in New Zealand had not been al .together satisfactory, but with the arrangements that had now beorf mado complete programmes of the best pictures would be available. In addition to the Famous Players-Laskv pictures, they controlled the Artcrafts film, which would include a Mary Pickford superfeature, to be released every two months. They also now had the services of "Fatty" ATbuckle, Douglas Fairbanks, and Olga Petrova, so that in point of quality there would bo nothing to complain of. They would possibly lose money for a time; but they were pre- 1 , paved to do that. Mr. Lorimore mentioned the possibility of a company coming, to New Zealand to act pictures on tho spot, which he considered ono of Tfrft best mediums of attracting_ tho right class of people to coinc to New Zealand. He also stated that it was his firm's intention to sell to no other companies outside those taking the Paramount service regularly and advocated tho formation of an association of independent theatro proprietors, which they would find of distinct advantage when broad issues concerning the business cropped up. In the course of tho evening, Mr. Lorimore proposed tho health of the censor (Mr. Wm. .Toliffc), and stated his firm belief that a censorship was a good thing to have, and that the Famous Players DDODIe were among tho first to approve of it in America. Mr. Joliffe, in reply, related some of his difficulties, and said that it was a job for ono individual. A censor in each centre would only lead to. confusion, and if there wero a board of threo it would bo found that invariably tho strongest-willed man would get his way. The attitude bo took was: Did tho picture satisfy him as ono that should bo shown to the public? and ho stood by hts own judgment. If tho owners of tho film were dissatisfied they could appeal, and he welcomed appeals. He had seen 2.000,000 feet of film since ho was appointed five months ago, and his eyes woto not affected in the loast. Tho health of Mr. Lorimoro and the Press were also honoured. During tho ovening flashlight photographs of tho gathering were taken, and tho completed photographs were shown in tho room an hour lator. •