Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1919)

2 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol 19. No. I January 4, 1919 Minister Upholds Theatres in Influenza Ban WHILE Elgin theatres were closed on account of the influenza epidemic, a champion of their privileges arose in Rev. E. Dean Ellenwood, Universalist Minister. At his church, for the evening of Sunday, November 17, a " war " lecture by a celebrated California educator was booked. A great mass meeting was planned for the Congregational church to have a prominent Chicago judge for attraction. The promoters of the mass meeting claimed they had secured special permission for the meeting from local health officials, for at the time the ban was being only gradually lifted from public gatherings. Came the Universalist preacher with announcement that he had cancelled his meeting, refusing to take unfair advantage of the theatres, still under the ban. He announced his belief that churches should not be allowed to offer Sunday evening attractions until theatres were permitted to reopen. As a result, the mass meeting was cancelled and the town silent as a tomb, so far as its entertainment part was concerned, on the last Sunday night of its quarantine. New Randolph Joins Jones, Linick & Schaeffer Chain WITH the announcement of the approaching opening next Saturday of the new Randolph Theatre, Messrs. Jones, Linick & Schaeffer's meteoric progress as purveyors of amusement in this locality is again brought to the fore. Their Boswell, writing of their past, present and future, brings many interesting truths to light. To begin with, Jones, Linick & Schaeffer may justly wear the crown as pioneers in the motion picture business in Chicago and in this state. On Christmas Eve, 1905, they opened the first motion picture house in this state on State street, where Browning King Co. now operates a store. The firm has built more theatres in Chicago than any other firm. It was " J., L. & S." who erected the Lyceum, Crystal, Century, Plaza, Wilson Avenue, Star, Willard, American, Lexington, Orpheum, Bijou Dream, Lyric, Rialto, and the new Randolph. That is a reputation of which to be proud. The Orpheum has become known the world over as the greatest " money maker " in Chicago. The Rialto has been acknowledged one of America's finest playhouses. It was erected two years ago at a cost of $600,000. Jones, Linick & Schaeffer have also become known as film distributors. They opened the Central Film Co., four years ago, and that firm is now one of the most prominent film distributing concerns in the Middle West. Aaron J. Jones is also the directing head of the local Goldwyn corporation, and is also the local genius of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. Aaron Jones is also the head of the Marcus Loew Western Booking Agency, and Peter J. Schaeffer has, among his other duties, the presidency of the Exhibitors' Branch of the National Motion Picture Industry and the presidency of the Allied Amusements Assn. Adolph Linick is mostly concerned with the financing of those various activities, and while he does not share the limelight as prominently as his two partners, Mr. Linick is the " power behind the throne " and the McAdoo of the "J., L. & S." administration. The " J., L. & S." news gatherer also claims distinction for his firm as the owners of Chicago's oldest as well as newest theatre. Their McVicker's Theatre, built in 1858, recently celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, and upon its boards once trod Booth, Barrett, Forrect, Mary Anderson and others of historic world prominence in the drama. Thus the opening of the new Randolph brings remembrances. Fon du Lac Business Improving Slowly HP HE managers of the Fond du Lac moving picture houses, A all of whom have been hard hit by the seven weeks' ban on picture shows, followed by several weeks of anxiety lest the lid might be clamped down again, are cheered up a bit — not a whole lot, but some. Business is gradually improving. Manager Vollert, of the Idea and the Henry Boyle, declares it is so; Manager Smith of the Bijou confirms the good news; while Manager Ainsworth of the Orpheum adds a whole-hearted Methodist " Amen! " " We can scarcely notice it," says Manager Smith of the Bijou, " but it's there. Here's hoping the tide has turned for good." A Newsy Week in Detroit WHEN THE MAJESTIC THEATRE is taken over by Henry Guthard on December 29, two former Majestic favorites, Henry Santrey and J. Ward Hutton, will again appear in the organization. Mr. Santrey is a very popular soloist, while Mr. Hutton has a wide reputation as an orchestra leader. Mr. Hutton was at the Majestic for more than three years, while Mr. Santrey sang there for two years. Both have this season been at the Regent, another picture house that now goes into vaudeville. M. W. McGee, managing director of the Majestic, will remain there for several weeks to start Mr. Guthard off. Mr. McGee's successor has not yet been named. FEW CHANGES are reported in the staffs of the various Detroit exchanges. Frank Stuart, with the General Film Co., has become assistant manager of the Fox exchange, under M. S. Bailey. Will Baker, formerly with Goldwyn, St. Louis, is now handling Universal special features out of the Detroit Universal exchange. Earl V. Hennessey, formerly with Goldwyn, has become city salesman for United. TWO IMPORTANT RULINGS affecting every exhibitor in the state have just been made. The Board of Motion Picture Exchange Managers have decided to send no C. O. D. shipments, starting January 1. Exhibitors must have their checks in the exchange before film will be shipped. The Post Office Department also has decided to accept no C. O. D. parcel post packages addressed to the film exchanges. This is because many exhibitors who have a fancied grievance against an exchange have sent back film with C. O. D.'s attached, attempting in different instances either to collect deposits or to take a rebate on pictures that have not brought them the business they expected. The exchange men now want the Post Office Department to make the same ruling on express shipments. The new organization of exchange managers expect tc institute several other reforms within a short time. Some of their plans were discussed at a dinner at the Board of Commerce last Friday night, December 20. The new Regent Theatre, Bay City, has been leased b> James Steele. Mr. Steele now operates the Washington anc Wenonah theatres in Bay City and the Lincoln Square, Detroit Jake Sullivan has been named by Fred De Lodder as house manager of the Del-The Theatre, succeeding the late Charles J. Nevison. Mr. Sullivan was formerly manager of the Co lonial Theatre here. /