Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 13 MOTION PICTURE THEATER OWNERS' ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS TO ELECT OFFICERS THIS WEEK More Than 160 Chicago Theater Men and 70 Outside Exhibitors to Be Enrolled; Will Form Illinois Corporation A meeting of the newly formed Motion Picture Theater Owners" Association of Illinois, which was scheduled for last Friday in Chicago, was deferred, owing to the absence of several theater ownfr: who were caDed to Springfield, 111., to fight the Guernsey state-wide censorship bill. It is expected the new organization will hold a meeting this week, at which time officers will be elected and application will be made for a charter under the Laws of Illinois. Big Membership The new association will take in more than 160 representative Chicago theater owners and from sixty to seventy state exhibitors. Thirty owners of theaters in Chicago have already signified their intention of joining the proposed league and inquiries are being received daily by the organizers from all parts of the stateconcerning it. Some important plans now are under way which will be taken up at the first meeting. These are for the benefit of exhibitors in general and will establish the new association on a solid foundation, it was pointed out this week. Bona Fide Owners Only Nobody will be admitted to membership, it is announced, except bona fide owners of theaters. With censorship and other obstacles constantly harassing the trade in Illinois, it is stated that the new association will prove to be a boon to the industry in fighting the industry's battles. Another point which was emphasized this week is that politics will be completely eradicated. Nothing will be considered except measures which vitally concern the exhibition branch of the trade, and the association will aim to co-operate with the producer in all matters of importance affecting both branches. STAR CAST FOR "FALL OF THE ROMANOFFS" NEARLY COMPLETED BY HERBERT BRENON Katerina Galanta, Who Came to United States with Russian Ballet, Picked by Producer as "Find" for Important Role; Other Stars Noted Herbert Brenon has almost completed his cast for his big state rights picture, 'The Fall of the Romanoffs," featuring Iliodor. the "Mad Monk." on which he has been working for five weeks at his studio on Hudson Heights. Monk Enacts Own Role Iliodor enacts his own role. Xance O'Xeil appears as the Czarina, Alfred Hickman as the Czar, Edward Connelly as Rasputin, Mile. E. Katerina Galanta as Anna, the girl who was the immediate cause of Rasputin's downfall and death; Conway Tearle as the young prince, and William E. Shay and Mile. Marcefle complete the star cast. All of these are artists of note who hold a high place on the 'screen and dramatic stage, with the exception of Mile. Galanta, who as yet is not well known in this country. Mile. Galanta a "Find" Mile. Galanta is a "find" of Mr. Brenon's. She is a young Russian girl who came to this country two years ago with the Russian Ballet and appeared in all the ballets both at the Metropolitan and Manhattan Opera Houses in Xew York. When the company returned to Europe earlier in the season she remained in this country and was engaged for the dancing girl in "The Wanderer," where her dancing was quite a feature of the performance. It was during her engagement there that Herbert Brenon first was struck by her exceptional talent, both as a dancer and actress. To Have Opportunity Galanta wiil have ample opportunity to display her versatility in her first screen role, for the part of Anna brings into use both her powers of acting and of dancing. First she is seen as a peasant girl, later as one of the foremost ladies of the land, where Rasputin's enormous influence at court has placed her. WICHITA EXHIBITORS FIGHT KANSAS CENSORS WICHITA, Kan.— The fight on state censorship was taken up by the motion picture exhibitors at a meeting held here last week and an attempt was made to get the present censorship board to be more lenient. Exhibitors met at the City Hall and the Eaton Hotel. About five hundred delegates were present. The exhibitors also asked the exchanges to do away with all deposits. INTERESTING SCENES FROM FORTHCOMING PARAMOUNT FILMS LEFT TO RIGHT — >\v pcvvivr.TOX IX "THF T.ITTT F BOV SCOl'T": FANNIF WARD AND SUPPORT IN HER STRANGE WEDDING." AND HOUSE PETERS IX "THE HEIR OF THE AGES" (Paramount)