Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

16 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD April 5, 1930 Ad Helps Save Town from Blue Law Doldrums ELDORADO PATT Y JOHtN’AI.. ELDORADO, TM.1X0I5, MONDAY, MARCH 21. 1930. That We May Not Be Misunderstood THIS ADVERTISEMENT is not printed so much with the thought of influencing the minds of the voters as it is to present our side of the question as to whether we shall or shall not be permitted to operate our theatre seven days instead of six days each week. That we are vitally interested in the continued growth and prosperity of Eldorado, is best evidenced by the fact that we have invested a great amount of money here In fact, we have had money invested in Eldorado real estate for the past twenty years. And as you know we have recently invested several thousand dollars in remodeling our theatre to bring it up to the present day standard 4)f modern talking picture theatres. B<‘ Sure You Mark Your Ballot Bight Mark your ballot “No”. You arc not voting on the direct question of Sunday, show's, but on an ordinance which would prohibit Sunday shows. If you vote “Yes” you are voting to pass this ordinance which would stop the shows at the theatre on Sunday, but if you vote “No" you are voting against the ordinance and voting to continue Sunday shows as they are now being operated. Read your ballot and if you are in favor of the Sunday shows vote “No” SAMPLE BALLOT Shall the Ordinance prohibiting THE OPERATION of moving picture shows and theatres in the City of Eldorado, on Sunday, be adopted? Yes No X The wording of this proposition is such that to vote in favor of Sunday shows you vote No. So if in favor of Sunday talkies mark your ballot like this one. A Question for You to Deride Tomorrow Shall we or shall we not be permitted to operate our theatres seven days a week? That is for you to decide. There are many arguments “pro” and "con” but our story is very simple. Almost every town around Eldorado is permitted to run which makes it very difficult for us. Close the theatres all over the country on Sunday and our story will be a different "one, but to try and compete with others operating seven -days a week makes it a very difficult problem. All we ask is that you. weigh the issue carefully and then cast your vote according to your own personal, belief in the matter." If you can support" the issue we thank you for your vote. If you are opposed we thank you just the same and assure you of our good will. Eldorado Amusement Company Orpheum Theatre OWNERS AND OPERATORS ELDORADO ILLINOIS Three factors stand uppermost in the effectiveness of this full page advertisement which helped defeat a Sunday closing ordinance at Eldorado, III. Steve M. Farrar , managing director of the Orpheum theatres at Eldorado and Harrisburg, III., both owned by the Colonial Amusement Company, employed as a headline the phrase, “That We May Not Be Misunderstood” a familiar catch-line in Sunday campaigns of readers of the Herald-World. Secondly there is the impelling use of quotations from leaders in town, the paragraphs being attractively boxed. Finally, there is the careful giving of prominence to correct understanding of the proposed ordinance, which was worded in such a way that many easily could have voted against Sunday programs while thinking they were favoring them. All credit to Steve Farrar. 1300 Votes Cast In Town of 2500 Despite Blizzard Sunday shows are assured the town of Eldorado, 111., following a whirlwind campaign that won such widespread interest that 1,300 votes were cast out of a total population of only 2,500, and at that “on the worst day of the year, a howling blizzard all day,” writes Steve M. Farrar, managing director of the Colonial Amusement Company, owning and operating theatres in Harrisburg and Eldorado. The vote stood 753 in favor of Sunday shows, and 547 against, the winning margin being 206 ballots. Attention is called to the full page advertisement used by Farrar, headed “That We May Not Be Misunderstood,” a phrase familiar to readers who have used material supplied by the HeraldWorld in their campaigns. Other points to be noted are the use of quotations from citizens and the emphasis placed upon the wording of the issue, so that friends of Sunday shows would not find on the day after the election that they had opposed them. Bell & Howell Expand in Europe ; Forming of Filmo Co. in Holland Announced The formation of the Filmo company of Holland, located in Amsterdam, has been announced by J. H. McNabb, president of the Bell & Howell company, Chicago, manufacturers of motion picture cameras and other motion picture equipment. This company, together with the Filmo company of Central Europe, with headquarters in Zurich, will serve European dealers of Bell & Howell products, the latter for Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. For some years, this company has operated a London office, and it is planned to expand the activities of this also. Cooper Re-elected Head Of Exhibitors and Film Organization of Canada (Special to the Herald-World) TORONTO, April 1. — The annual election of officers of the Motion Picture Distributors and Exhibitors of Canada at Toronto resulted in the re-election of Col. John A. Cooper as president. Directors are: Claire Hague, Canadian Universal; James Travis, Educational; J. P. O’Loghlin, Fox; B. F. Lyon, Warner Bros. ; M. A. Milligan, Famous Lasky; P. J. Taylor, Radio; H. M. Masters, United Artists ; W. F. Haynes, Regal Films, and R. S. Bell, First National, all of Toronto. Warner Brothers Starts Eight Exchange Buildings ( Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, April 1. — Work has started on eight new buildings to house Warner Brothers, First National and Vitaphone exchanges. All buildings are under supervision of Herman L. Maier, chief engineer of the construction of Warner enterprises. The new exchanges will be in Dallas, New Orleans, Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo and Philadelphia. All exchanges will be constructed in the highest standard and will contain up-to-date vaults for the storage for film and records. Denies Rumor That Revues Will Stop During Summer (Special to the Herald-World) BALTIMORE, April 1. — Nat Keene, manager of the Hippodrome here, has denied the rumor that the Bert Smith Revues which he presents with first run pictures will be discontinued during the summer. Evanston House Wired The New Evanston theatre will open soon as a De Luxe motion picture house, according to Clyde Elliott. It is now being wired with Western Electric Vitaphone and Movietone equipment, and a “giant screen” is being installed. Engineers have pronounced the acoustics perfect. Calcutta Houses Being Rapidly Converted for Talking Picture Films (Special to the Herald-World) CALCUTTA, April 1.— The Globe Grand Opera House, the largest theatre in India, owned by the Globe Theatres, Inc., is the last house to be wired so far for talking pictures. Western Electric equipment was used. “Broadway Melody,” the opening film, broke all records, and the first showing was attended by Her Excellency Lady Jackson. Other houses to be wired for sound are the Elphinstone and the old Empire theatre, which up to November had been legitimate houses.