Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1924)

1072 Motion Pi c t u r c News Pinchot Declines to Accept Theatre Pass AN interesting story is going the rounds of Central Pennsylvania theatre men that Governor Pinchot, of Pennsylvania, has declined to accept an annual pass to the New Regem picture theatre, which he frequently attends in Harrisburg, explaining in a courteous letter to Manage Peter Magaro, who orfered him the ticket, that it is contrary to his policy to accept perquisites of any sort while Governor. The Governor frequently attends shows at the New Regent, generally going alone late in the afternoon, after a hard day attending to his official duties at the capitol. Notwithstanding the Governor's declination of the proffered annual pass the story goes, Mr. Magaro recently saw him approach the theatre box office and the manager beckoned the Governor to walk into the theatre without paying. Again Mr. Pinchot politely declined the invitation to go in iree, but produced the money and bought a ticket at the box office. After that, respecting the Governor's wishes in the matter, Mr. Magaro has not invited the Chief Executive of the State to be a guest of the management. John J. Murray Dies in Florida John J. Murray of Warren, Ohio, is dead. He died February 19 in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he went with his wife and daughter to regain Ms health. He was buried Saturday in Warren, where for so many years he has served the public wholesome motion picture entertainment at his two houses, the Opera House and the Hippodrome. Murray was an old showman, a graduate of circus days. He was one of the best beloved men in the picture buisness and Ins death, due to heart trouble, is sadly felt by his many friends. Norwich, Conn., Exhibitor Settles with Union Abraham Davidson, owner and manager of the Broadway and Strand theatres in Norwich Conn., and prospective owner of similar playhouses at Willimantic and Winsted, in the same state, has announced he has reached a settlement with the Norwich Musicians' Union and will withdraw his suit for $40,000, instituted against the organization and individual members last June on the ground of restraint of trade, due to picketing operations by union members. The case has attracted wide attention in motion picture and union-musical circles of New England. Petti john Holds Conferences in Chicago General Counsel C. C. Pettijohn, of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, was in Chicago last week and conferred with officials of the Film Board of Trade and Chicago and Indiana exhibitor It is understood that various improvements form contract were also taken under consideration with a view to making changes. Harry D. Wilson, newly elected president of Western Motion Picture Advertisers. Harry Wilson is Elected Wampas President The annual election of officers »nd dire tors of the Western Motion Picture Advertisers (The "Wampas") was held at Picadilly Tea Rooms Tuesday evening, Feoruarv 12th. Harry D. Wilson of Principal Pictures Corporation was elected president of the organization. He succeeded Joseph A. Jackson of the Goldwyn Corporation. Wilson is the fourth president of the Wampas and was vice president last term. The other presidents were Ray Leek, 1921, Arch Keeve, 1922, and Jackson, term of 1923. Rov Miller of the Miller Theatre was -'"••ted Vice-P'-siderit succc-ii — Wileor. and Tom Engler of Fine Arts Studios was made secretary with Adam Hull Shirk of GrandAsher, elected treasurer. The board of directors consist of Pete Smith, Harry Brand, Malcolm Stewart Boylan, Arch Reeve, and Ray Leek. Hodkinson Tax Defense is Stricken Out The defense of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation in a suit brought by the City of New York was ordered stricken out during the week by Supreme Court Justice Wagner on application of the city. The suit was to collect a tax on personal property of the Hodkinson Corporation assessed at $100,000 in 1919. The defense was that the officers of the corporation stated at the time the assessment was made that taxable property amounted only to $5,000. They claim 1" have been told by representatives of the Department of Taxes that they would have an opportunity to fill out the property blanks stating the facts. This was not done and the suit followed. The city was held not to be bound by Ihe promise. Florida Exhibitor Robbed of $1,700 E. J. Sparks, former Southern Enterprises man, now controlling a string of Florida theatres was robbed of $1700 on February 20, at his Beacham theatre, Orlando, Florida. The loss, it is believed, was covered by burglary insurance. Attendance Record Sought at Kansas Convention THE M. P. T. O. Kansas has adopted a new plan to increase attendance at its semi-annual convention in Emporia, Kas., April 1 and 2. A committee of nine exhibitors, geographically selected, has been appointed to write personal letters to exhibitors in their territory, urging them to attend the convention. This procedure will be in addition to the usual form letters sent out from M. P. T. O. K. headquarters and stickers posted on film boxes. The attendance goal for the convention this year is 200, according to C. E. Cook, business manager of the organization. The committee is composed of A. R. Zimmer, Liberty theatre, Marysville, Kas.; W. H. Webber, Echo theatre, Great Bend, Kas.; W. J. Gabel, Grand theatre, Beloit, Kas.; E. E. Frazier, Grand theatre, Pittsburg, Kas.; Stanley N. Chambers, Miller theatre, Wichita, Kas.; G. L. Hooper, Orpheum theatre, Topeka; E. E. Sprague, Lyric theatre, Goodland, Kas.; Harry McClure, Strand theatre, Emporia, Kas.; M. G. Kirkman, Strand theatre, Hays, Kas. The road showing of feature pictures, which the trend of sentiment among Kansas exhibitors is against; the snowing of film in schools and churches in opposition to theatres and legislative recommendations will be the principal issues at the convention, in addition to an annual election of officers. Woman Theatre Patron Robbed of $2,000 The Clinton Square theatre in Albany, N. Y., was the scene of a theft last week, which cost Mrs. Anne Bender, of Menands, about $2,000 in jewelry. Mrs. Bender had come to the theatre, bringing with her a mesh bag in which she had placed several platinum and diamond rings, which she did not care to leave at home, owing to frequent burglaries w hich have occurred in Albany and vicinity during the last few weeks. After paying her admission to the theatre, Mrs. Bender went to the ladies' room for a few minutes, leaving and entering the theatre proper, taking her seat, and then recollecting having left the bag and its contents in the washroom. Mrs. Bender hurried back, but bag and jewelry had disappeared. She reported the loss to Oscar Perrin, manager of the house, and to the police, but although several were interrogated, no clue was obtained to the thief. American Films Lead in Greece Consul W. L. Lowrie, Avrites from Athens, that "American pictures predominate, but there is also a considerable showing of Italian, French and German pictures." His report to the Bureau states that of some twelve motion picture theatres in Athens, eight give high class performances. In capacity, these theatres range from 650 to 900 seats. Films are sold outright by import and export agents, or are leased out on a sliding scale rental, varying with the size, subject, and age of film, and class of patronage. Roughly, the plan approaches our domestic distribution methods. Constantinople, Smyrna, or Alexandria, seemingly are the chief entrepots for film reels, the importers reserving exclusive rights, not only for Greece, but for all the Balkan states." The " season " for runs is only from October to May, the summer demand being negligib'e.