Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

H I B R H R D Scrantonia Photoplay Corp. Negotiates For Purchase of Rocky Glen, Pa., Studio MARY MILES MINTER The Air.erican-Mutual Star Whose Current Picture Is "A Bit of Jade" Strand Theatre N. Y. To Show First-Run First National Films Deal Closed With Mark Realty Company Last Week Includes Chaplin Comedies Last Thursday a deal was consummated between the members of the Mark Realty Company, owners of the Strand Theatre, New York, and the executives of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, whereby the associates of the late Mitchel H. Mark have secured an interest in the New York franchise, giving them the first-run rights on all features released by the First National, including the Charlie Chaplin comedies. ■ The Strand, with a seating capacity of 3,500, is one of the largest high-class motion picture houses in the country, and is considered the ideal theatre in which to give First National attractions their initial showing, not only from the aesthetic point of view, but for the practical reason that the greatest number of patrons can be reached in the shortest space of time. The negotiations leading up to this deal were carried on quietly for some time between the First National chiefs and Messrs. Moe Mark, Walter Hays, Max Spiegel and Eugene Falk, executives of the Mark Realty Company. Mitchel H. Mark, prior to his death, had expressed his approval of the arrangement, but was too ill to take active part in the negotiations. Marked Achievement Under the provisions of its charter the First National Exhibitors' Circuit is obliged to lease its New York franchise to exhibiting interests of the highest standing. In closing with the Mark Cor To Produce Six-Reel Features for State Rights MarketJesse J. Goldburg to Handle — Six Comedies Now Ready The Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation, which has announced for the immediate publication of six one-reel comedies, featuring Charlie Fang, the Chinese comedian, have already expanded operations and will commence the producing of six and seven-reel photoplays, to be issued by way of the state rights market through Jesse J. Goldburg. Negotiations are pending for the purchase of the Crystal Palace, at Rocky Glen, Pennsylvania, situated six miles out of Scranton. The Crystal Palace, is the largest all glass enclosed structures in the United States, and it is said is perfectly suited to motion picture studio purposes. C. R. De Barge, the vice president and director general of the Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation, was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and educated in the Adene Royal at Antwerp. Upon completing his education there he went to Paris and studied dramatic art for three years, after which he was engaged by Pathe Freres, Paris, and continued in their employ for several years, and was thereafter engaged as director by the British Colonial Picture Company, London. Upon completing this contract Mr. De Barge came to America and worked for the old Imp and Biograph companies. He then returned to Amsterdam, Holland, and entered the legitimate dramatic field in Louis Baumester's Company playing in stock. It was here that Lou Tellegen first received his dramatic training. Returning to America Mr. De Barge was engaged by the Famous Players' Corporation and supported, among other stars, Mary Pickford, Donald Brian and Pauline Frederick. He then directed the productions of the French Art Pictures Corporation, producing among others "Mother's Fate" and "The Ten Commandments." Before joining the Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation Mr. De Barge was connected with the Sidney Olcott Players in the production "The Belgian." From the wide experience of Mr. De Barge in motion pictures both here and abroad the Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation feel that their future productions will merit the confidence which they have placed in him. poration, it is believed that the most desirable possible ends have been achieved. Judging from the many congratulatory messages that have reached First National headquarters, this opinion is general throughout the circuit. The Mark Realty Company of Buffalo and New York is a monument to the sagacity and foresight of the late Mitchel H. Mark has secured an interest American exhibitors of motion pictures to win national prominence. After successful pioneering work in Buffalo and Boston, he and his associates built the Strand in New York as the highest type of theatre devoted to the showing of motion pictures with musical accompaniment. Since its opening on April 11, 1914, the Strand has maintained a uniformly superior level of motion" picture entertainment allied with musical art, and has represented an ideal in the field of exhibition toward which hundreds of other owners and managers have striven. The Strand was the first high-class house in the world to feature Charlie Chaplin, and in securing first-run rights for the new series of $1,000,000 comedies the same progressive policy that has built up the huge clientele of the big theatre is in evidence. The rental figure that the management has agreed to pay for the Chaplin product has not been divulged as yet, but it is understood to top anything on record in the field of comedy. In addition to the Strand, the Mark Realty Company owns and operates a dozen or more prosperous theatrical properties through the east, including the strand, the Academy and Victoria Theatres, of Buffalo; the Strand of Syracuse and the Strand of Lynn, Mass. Alleg-orical Fig-ore of Uncle Sam in "The Eagle's Eye," the Wharton Serial, Used in Behalf of the Liberty Loan." 26