Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

H I B R H R D Mutual's Subsidiary Corporations Declare HoffmanFoursquare Important Dividends and Stock Redemptions Opens Atlanta Office* Freuler Enterprises — Lone Star, Lincoln and States Films Companies — Pay Large Profits to Stockholders Three of the Mutual Film Corporation's subsidiary and allied corporations have declared important dividends and stock redemptions, involving large sums in profits paid over to stockholders in these Freuler enterprises. The Lone Star Corporation, the concern which produced the Mutual-Chaplin comedies, through the office of John R. Freuler, president, announces for November 10 the redemption of 10 per cent of the preferred stock outstanding at 110, plus the preferred stock dividends at T per cent accrued to date. This means that approximately two-thirds of the preferred stock has been redeemed by the corporation, including the payment of the 10 per cent redemption premium and the payment of the 7 per cent dividends. Meanwhile, the Mutual-Chaplin come dies have a long period in which to work and take profits. "The marked success of the MutualChaplin project has contributed largely to the present sound condition of the Mutual Film Corporation," observed Mr. Freuler. Another Mutual subsidiary, the Lincoln Film Corporation, the corporation financing the production of the Helen Holmes serial, entitled "A Lass of the Lumberlands," has redeemed 10 per cent of the outstanding preferred stock at 110, plus the accrued 7 per cent dividends. The serial continues booking at a satisfactory rate. The States Film Corporation, the Mutual subsidiary concerned with the Helen Holmes serial. "The Girl and the Game," first of her Mutual efforts, announces the payment of a 2 per cent dividend on the common stock, all of the preferred issue having long since been redeemed. M. P. EXPOSITION POSTERS CHOSEN Lawrence L. Wilbur and Fred Ma Dan, both of New York City, tied for honors in the national competition for the best poster submitted for the Motion Picture Fxposition to be held in Grand Central Palace, New York, February 2 to 10, 1918. More than sixty artists competed and after the process of elimination by the judging committee the contest for the $100 in gold first prize was between the above mentioned pair. There were six members on the committee and so excellent were both designs that three members favored one and three the other artist. When the deadlock resulted, the two artists were consulted and told that the}' might toss a coin and that the winner would receive the $100 in gold and the loser an additional prize of $50 in gold. The artists, however, preferred to split the prize money and each accepted $7.j, neither being awarded the decision. Both posters will be used in advertising matter booming the exposition. Artist Wilbur's drawing in striking colors shows a director and camera man in action in a manner that instantly catches the eye. Mr. Ma Dan's sketch is equally as attractive, but along different lines. He depicts a healthly little baby wearing an army hat and representing the youngest of the greatest industries, seated on a weather vane and pointing "Over There." It is symbolic of the fact that the motion picture camera and the film reach everywhere on the four points of the compass. Walter J. Moore and George I. Cooke, members of the Supply and Equipment Division of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, will donate the cost of printing thousands of posters made from the two designs. Mr. Moore is vice-president of the H. C. Miner Lithographing Company, and Mr. Cooke is president of the Alpha Lithographing Company. LAWRENCE I.. WILBUR'S DESIGN" FOR A POSTER FOR M. P. EXPOSITION, N. Y. FEB. 2-10, 191S. NEW ORLEANS THEATERS TO TAKE FIRST NATIONAL FILMS That New Orleans is fast becoming an important distributing center for motion picture productions is evidenced by the announcement that eight}' of the important theaters in that section will receive the services of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. The association is represented in New Orleans by E. V. Richards, Jr., general manager of the Saenger Amusement Company. Continuing its prograss in the estab lishing of exchanges, M. H. Hoffman Inc., has completed arrangements fo launching its first Hoffman-Foursquan: branch in the south. Atlanta is the citjfl chosen and Jerome Abrams, assistan 1 general manager of exchanges, is nov| in the city. Offices will De located at 7:1 Walton street. Charles W. Harden, one of the bes known distributing motion picture mei in this territory, took charge of Hoff| man-Foursquare pictures Monday, No! vember 12. Mr. Harden has expressei himself as thoroughly satisfied with th I product that will be at his disposal, am! none the less with the policy governini' the bookings. "Every southern exhibitor I hav seen." writes Jerome Abrams to Mi; Hoffman, "is ready for our pictures They all feel that our attitude is on which gives first consideration for th j prosperity of the men who really giv us a chance of earning butter to put o • our bread. "The fact that Hoffman-Foursquare i paying the war-tax on positive prints i striking evidence of a sincere desire t help the exhibitor during a time whe ; he sorely needs help. Universal Adds Two Director Douglas Gerrard has again joined th directorial staff of the Universal Fill Manufacturing Company. He was. foi merly associated with the Big U organ zation in the same capacity, previous t which he had acted leading roles. Another to join the Universal sta is Paul Hurst, who will direct photc dramas in which Helen Gibson is to b| featured. FRED MA DAN'S ATTRACTIVE POSTE FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED A $75 PRIZE 32