Four-Minute Video About The Apollo Theater

Photo: Allen Carrasco
& The Apollo Theater Foundation, Shahar Azran

“…Resident historian and official tour guide, Billy Mitchell, discloses little known facts about the theater and the legendary people who performed there.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hOPSN5P1Tk

http://www.healthbeautylife.com/the-apollo-theater-heart-soul-of-harlem/#vidhash

The Gravity of this Evil

FTC hits Famous Players With Anti-Trust Complaints

Rudolph Valentino supports the cause opposing Hays contract and Famous Players

Louella Parsons describes the scene at the MPTOA 1923 convention in Chicago where Valentino appears in support of the theater owners cause, which was also one of his own.

“Before Mr. Valentino made his appearance Sydney S. Cohen said that he had requested the young gentleman to refrain from mentioning the name of the company with which he has had his legal difficulties. Apparently Mr. Valentino did not hear or did not want to hear, or he gave a talk against the film company that for dramatic oratory would put Clay or any other speech maker in the shade.

” Mr. Valentino called the independent theatre owners and actor-producers the white hope off the industry – and better that they all work together to keep the picture business from going to the merry old bow bows. Mr Hays who seemed to be the feature star of the convention yesterday came in for some raps from the ‘Sheik.’ He was called the ‘Sunday-School Apostle of the Industry, the paid agent of the producers and few more similar names.

“After urging the exhibitors to organize to fight the common enemy, Rudolph received an ovation that shook the rafters. Sydney Cohen, who was presiding, in thanking Mr. Valentino, said: ‘You see, he heeded my request and refrained from mentioning the film company with whom he is fighting.’ “

by Louella Parsons, The Morning Telegraph, New York, Wednesday, May 23, 1923, Page 1.

(Valentino striking against Famous Players is outlined in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_Valentino#Strike_against_Famous_Players

Mobile film exhibition in 1919

This is the same year that the movies were allowed to be opened on Sunday.

 Motion Picture Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 7, August 1919