Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

THE AMERICAN EXHIBITOR Carolina Exhibitors Form Organization To Distribute Films M«, N. J" H.e C„o,ioa Co)perative Exhibitors' League, composed f leaders among moving picture men 1 North Carolina, was organized here ecently when about forty men from ,'orth and South Carolina came to "harlotte for the purpose. Percy W. 'Veils, of Wilmington, was made presient, and C. L. Welsh, of Salisbury, was lected vice president, and H. B. Varner, f Lexington, was elected secretary and ■ -easurer. Seven directors were also lected. Although the organization will be a i o-operative one, it will be incorporated I nder the laws of North Carolina, and harlotte will be its headquarters. It is ;ie purpose of the organization to furlish here an office for distributing films id film supplies to the exhibitors in the • vo states of North and South Carona. It is proposed to take over the disibution office here that is now operated ly R. D. Craver, and operate it in the iterest of members of the association, his detail was not completed, but will robably be settled at an early date. Members of the newly formed associa1 'on stated yesterday afternoon that -obably from S250.000 to $275,000 would | :present the business done by the local fice annually. '.uilders of Strand Plan New Playhouse; Brooklyn Location Brooklyn, N. Y. — Moe Mark, Max liegel and Walter Hays, of the Mitchel . Mark Realty Corporation, owners of ie Strand Theatre, accompanied by nomas Lamb, the architect, left New ork last week on a tour of inspection the newest motion picture theatres jilt in the principal cities of the United :ates. The Strand owners, it is announced, e preparing to build the largest and ost luxurious motion picture theatre the country, which is to be located on e corner of Fulton street and Rockell place, this borough. This new there will seat 4,500. In making this tour is the hope of the Strand people to :nefit from the experience of other ominent theatre owners. The Brooklyn theatre will be the last ord in theatre construction, it is stated, id nc expense will be spared for the •mfort and safety of its patrons. Work i the new building will be commenced lmediately. lotion Picture Director Files Bankruptcy Petition Los Angeles, Calif.— Gilbert P. Hamiln, a motion picture director, has filed petition in bankruptcy in the United ates district court here, listing his li>ihties at $44,921 and assets of $1,599. The greater part of his debts, the petition sets forth, arise from a stockholder's liability the petitioner owning 16,000 shares of the capital stock of the Problem Motion Picture Co., 10,000 shares of the Century Film Co., and 14,000 shares of the Albuquerque Film Mfg. Co. Another Suit Growing Out of Colfax Hall Fire Indianapolis — Damages amounting to $15,000 are sought in the suit filed today by Emma Snyder against the Indiana National Life Insurance Company and the Oxon Chemical Company. The suit, which is the seventh one to be filed in the Marion County Superior Courts, grew out of the Colfax Hall fire, which took place here April 19, 1917, and in which six lives were lost and a number of people injured. Exhibitor's Briefs Deerwood, Minn. — Charles G. Osterlund, Deerwood druggist, has begun the erection of a new motion picture theatre here. The building will have a capacity of 250 persons and will be fireproof. Fordyce, Ark. — The Lyric Theatre, under the management of R. H. Keeton and O. W. Brazil, has been remodeled. Jacksonville, Fla. — The newly-erected American Theatre at Camp Johnstone, leased by the S. A. Lynch Enterprises, opened here March 15. "The Birth of a Nation" furnished the attraction for opening night. John L. Crovo will act as resident manager. Topeka, Kans. — The Iris Theatre here which has been closed temporarily since the first of February, reopened last week under the management of I. Feltenstein. The new program provides for three changes a week. Hartford, Conn. — William J. Melarkey, manager of the local Fox Theatre, succurpbed to pneumonia in a New York hospital this week. Mr. Melarkey was thirty years old. Burial will be had in New York City. San Francisco, Calif. — Progress is reported by Reid Brothers, architects, on the new theatre being constructed by Samuel H. Levin at Clement street and Ninth avenue, in the Richmond district. Chicago, 111— The Park View Theatre Company, capitalized at $1,000, has been organized here with Michael B. Roderick. Joseph A. Rogers and William Hershberg as directors. McConnesville. Ohio — George H. Bain, owner of the opera house here has employed Messrs. Kenneth Longley and Russel Johnson to manage the business. Pittsburgh, Pa. — Fire caused by a film igniting in the operator's booth at the Colonial Theatre recently did damage to the playhouse of more than $1,500. Patrons numbering about 250 reached the street in safetv. Dallas, Tex. — The Trinity Theatre Company has been incorporated for $3,000. Among those who will direct the affairs of the new venture are E. H. Hulsey, Herschel Stuart and Harry P. Hearn. McAlester, Okla. — Effective as soon as his successor can be chosen, A. C. King, manager of the Busby Theatre here, has handed in his resignation. Fort Smith, Ark. — Arthur McLeod has leased the old Majestic Theatre building and will feature first run pictures, according to an announcement. Tulsa, Okla. — George M. Green, H. L. McCracken and Charles H. Woods, of Oklahoma City, have incorporated the Orpheum Theatre Company with a capital stock of $20,000. Williston, N. D.— W. W. Boardman has assumed the proprietorship of the Lyric Theatre here, succeeding John Snyder. Anticipation of an early call to army service by Mr. Snyder was the governing factor in the sale. Madison. Wis. — Fire recently slightly damaged the Bandbox Theatre here owned by Fred Flom. Mr. Flom carried insurance on the building, but the furniture and other equipment were not covered. Broncho Billy Films In Demand — Essanay The Broncho Billy dramas, which the Essanay company placed on the market through the George Kleine exchanges March 1, are reported to be doing an unprecedented amount of business. Already there has been a call for more prints, Essanay announces. Essanay is publishing these one-reel subjects in blocks of ten and several hundred exhibitors have arranged to take the entire • number, running one each week as they are issued. These subjects have been carefully selected from the popular Broncho Billy films. Essanay has found that there is an increasing demand for western plays, and the Western dramas featuring Jack Gardner have been in unusually strong demand, as is also the case in the Broncho Billy films. Bargains in Electric Pianos 25 Empress Electric Pianos having had use as demonstrators, etc., will be closed out this month. Splendid values. Former $600 instrument ?38!>, and many others. Write at once for List. Sold on easy monthly payments. Lyon & Healy, 50-71 Jackson Blvd. Chicago 59