Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

Chicago Concern Faces Inquiry By Postal Dept. Offer to Make Girls Film Stars Eyed By Government Attention of the postal authorities has been directed to the activities of a motion picture enterprise in Chicago which, it is charged, has used the mails to promise employment to girls ambitious to shine as stars in motion pictures. Through investigation the headquarters of the enterprise has been located in a bedroom of a low-priced South State street hotel. The 6 by 10 office of the Monroe Hotel, 406 South State street, in the neighborhood of basemnet saloons, ladies' barber shops, burlesque shows and penny arcades, is the "general office" of the company. The clerk in charge said that the "Photoplay Film Mfg.," the only name given by the concern on its stationery, is E. A. Wedetta. Wedetta, he said, "had gone east" and would not return for a couple of weeks. In a circular letter the company promised aspiring girls a twenty weeks' engagement at a salary of $45. It was necessary, however, that they send for a manuscript and a book on make-up, etc., that the production might not be delayed when ready to begin. For this a deposit of $1 was asked. Literature of the company listed Ben R. Selig, president; W. B. West, vice president, and C. H. Sanger, secretary and treasurer. A number of others were named on the board of directors. It is hardly necessary to state that the Selig Polyscope Company has no connection with the enterprise. "I do_ not know Ben R. Selig, named as president, nor have I ever heard of him." said Robert Selig, secretary of the Polyscope company. "I am pretty well informed regarding people interested in motion picture enterprises, especially those of large scope. I never heard of the company." Sanford Exhibitor Arrested on Warrant For Sunday Pictures Sanford, Me. — Charles A. Trafton has been arrested on a complaint sworn out by State Detective Edward H. Emery, who is also secretary of the Christian Civic League of Maine. Mr. Trafton, who is the owner of the Colonial theatres in Sanford and Springvale, is charged with running a moving picture show on Sunday evenings. Judge George L. Emery of the Biddeford Municipal Court has been retained as counsel for Mr. Emery and the Civic League. Mr. Emery stated today that the complaint was being brought under the old blue laws, which pertains to Sunday closing. Mr. Trafton has run his theatres Sun day evenings for several months and says that all the proceeds have been given to charity and that he was only operating the pictures for the sake of the ooor of Sanford and other worthy causes. He has retained counsel, and the hearing is set in the Municipal Court. Mr. Emery intimated today that this was the beginning of a crusade to close up all picture houses in Maine on Sunday evenings. Brownsville Fire Creates Near Panic In Picture Theatre Brownsville, Pa. — Fire which for a time threatened the whole of the downtown section here did $15,000 damage and created a near-panic in the Arcade Theatre recently. The fire, of undetermined origin, broke out in the clothing store of J. Klein, occupying part of a three-story frame structure on Market street, containing the theatre also, and rapidly spread to an adjoining two-story frame building occupied by the Armstrong Realty Company, and from there to a two-story frame building unoccupied, next to the Second National Bank. When smoke poured into the Arcade Theatre the patrons rose in fright and started a rush for the exits, but quieter heads quickly calmed them, and they left in an orderly man ner. The volunteer fire companies from Brownsville and South Brownsville responded to the alarm and prevented further spread of the flames. The firemen were hampered by falling telegraph and telephone wires. The town was without electric light for two hours. EXPRESS COMPANY IS EXONERATED FOR NOT "RUSHING" FILM SHOW Justice Charles Hiscock, of the Court of Appeals, New York, has handed down an important decision. In an appeal from a judgment of the fourth appellate division affirming a judgment of the trial term he rules that an unreasonable delay on the part of an express company to deliver a package which it knew contained films and was told to "rush" because they were to be exhibited is held insufficient to charge the company with loss of profits through small attendance at the consignee's theatre where the films were advertised to be shown. The action was brought to recover damages for "unreasonable delay" in transportation of films which were delivered to the American Express Co. in Troy for shipment to Utica. There was evidence from which the jury found unreasonable delay in the delivery, and the plaintiff was allowed to recover as damages the profits it was claimed he could have realized from the exhibition of the films if they had been delivered with reasonable promptness. Goldwyn to Handle Selexart Features; "Blue Blood" Firs Goldwyn Pictures Corporation an nounces the closing of a deal whereb exhibitors are to be offered three bi, motion picture productions from th studios of Selexart Pictures, Inc. Though publication dates have nc been announced, it is probable that th first production, "Blue Blood," starrin Howard Hickman, will be ready fo' trade showing within a fortnight. "Blu Blood" is from the story by J. Grub Alexander and Fred Myton, and was d: rected by Elliot Howe. Howard Hickman needs no introduc tion to American motion picture audi ences. Originally an actor of the spoke stage, he began his career in a Bern hardt company and then played in repei toire with Melbourne McDowell. Hi first screen work was with Universa from which he went to Lasky, where h appeared in "The Sin Ye Do" and "Th Female of the Species." For Trianglf Ince "The Snarl" was his most impoi tant work. Of late he has been a Pai alta player. Rhea Mitchell and Howard Hickma are co-starred in "Social Ambition," th second of the Selexart productions. Th: is from the story by W. E. Wing an directed by Wallace Worsley. Mis Mitchell, too, began her histrionic c; reer on the legitimate stage, havin nlayed in stock at the Alcazar, Sa Francisco, and later was seen througl out the country on the Orpheum Circui She has appeared on the screen for th New York Motion Picture Company i "Three Musketeers"; for the America in "Sealed Lips." "The Great Stanle Secret" and "Gilded Youth," and i Whither Thou Goest." In recent montl she has been a featured Paralta playe Miss Mitchell is starred alone i "Honor's Cross," the last of the grou The Selexart productions will be booke entirely apart from Goldwyn Picture though Goldwyn customers will be give the preference in contracting for tl group of three specials. W. R. Scates Places Many Paralta Film W. R. Scates, the energetic Gener, Film manager of Chicago, has succeede in placing Hodkinson-Paralta service i the Michigan, Covent Garden, Biograp Knickerbocker, Paramount, Vitagrap and West End theatres, on the Lublim & Trinz Circuit, which are showing tf tri-star series of Kerrigan, Barrisca and Walthall pictures. A number of Ascher Brothers' the; tres have also contracted for the Hoi kinson product, with the result that Ch cago and suburbs will soon know th new brand of pictures, as well as h< many other favorites. bargains in Electric Pianqj 25 Empress Electric Pianos having had use a demonstrators, etc., will be closed out thi month. Splendid values. Former #60" instnl ment *38 ;, and many others. Write at onr for List. Sold on easy monthly payments. Lyon & Healy, r0-/i Jackson Blvd. Chicag< 46