Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 23, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 385 "Split Reel" Notes For Theater Men SNAPPY ITEMS OF INTEREST TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS SEVERAL changes in department heads have recently been made by J. A. Berst, vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc. Joseph Dunn of the publicity department, who has been with Pathe for something over a year, and as a former newspaper man has a wide acquaintance in New York City, has been placed in charge of the title editing department. Tarleton Winchester, who in addition to special sales and publicity work has been the editor of the Pathe Sun, has been put in Mr. Dunn's place. Tom North becomes editor of the Pathe Sun. Mr. North has been in charge of the Pathe super-feature department. <• * ♦ A panic was narrowly averted at the Academy of Music, Halifax, Nova Scotia, during a moving picture performance when a street car dashed down a hill and into the front of the theater. The accident occurred shortly after the theater had been re-opened following the great fire and explosion in December and the people were still more or less shaky. There was a big crash when the car struck the ticket booth and the audience leaped to its feet. Manager O'Connell used great presence of mind when he switched on all lights and announced quickly than only a large icicle had fallen from the roof. * * * Vitagraph and Anita Stewart, are engaged in a court contest to decide whether Miss Stewart can leave the company and go with Metro. Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph says he Alice Joyce as she appears in the new Vitagraph film, "A Woman Between Friends." has done everything to please the star, going so far as to engage the leading man and directors she wanted. Mr. Smith declares, however, that she broke her contract. To this Miss Stewart replies that Vitagraph invalidated its own contract by failure to furnish her with an accounting of its receipts on her pictures. The star receives more than $100,000 a year. * * * Paramount soon will move from the Consumers' building, Chicago, to Wabash avenue and Ninth street. The change will be made as soon as remodeling of the Wabash avenue building is finished. Paramount is moving for two reasons. One is that it has outgrown its present quarters and the other is the growing strictness of loop building regulations. With business bounding ahead in big spurts and the building regulations tightening, Paramount decided that moving was the only alternative. * ♦ ♦ Sam Steinberg of the Omaha branch of the Universal Film Co., dropped in last week to see how film business was being conducted in the windy city. Mr. Steinberg claimed that there were more exhibitors in one day lounging about and visiting the fifteenth floor of the Consumers Bldg., where the Chicago office of the Universal Film Exchange is located, than there are in the Omaha exchange in a whole year. * * * I. Van Ronkel, who has resigned as manager for the Jewel and Bluebird photoplays, is now on a four weeks' tour of the "Sunny South." When asked before leaving what his plans were, he replied: "I haven't decided. I am not even going to think business, let alone talk business for the next month. Mrs. Van and myself are going to take a vacation for the first time in fourteen years and you can bet your life this isn't going to be a business trip." * * * Nat Rothstein, general publicity manager for the Universal Film Exchange, was a visitor at the Chicago branch of the Universal Film Company last week. He is a former Chicagoan and well known to exhibitors and film folks in this territory. Mr. Rothstein was returning from a flying visit to the Coast to bury his father. * * * Kentucky picture interests were dealt a hard blow a few days ago when Chief Justice Settle of the court of appeals ruled that Sunday shows are barred by the law. Under the decision theater owners may be fined $50 for each employe engaged in operating a show on the Sabbath. The decision was given in the case of the Capitol theater of Frankfort and upheld a fine of $51. * * * Charles Berman has been obtained to represent the United States Booking Corporation in Toronto, Canada. United States subjects are handled in Canada by the Superfeatures Ltd., of which Charles Stevens is president. It is the intention of the Superfeatures Ltd., to expand its organization. Other branch offices soon will be established in the Western part of the dominion. * * * Homer Howard, one of the most popular film men in the upper New York State district, has resigned as Buffalo representative of Paramount to join the sales forces of the United States Exhibitors' Booking Corporation. He will be in charge of the Buffalo district, making his headquarters in the HoffmanFoursquare exchange there. * * + Max Cutler has joined the United States Exhibitors' Booking Corporation and has been assigned by the general sales manager, Lynn S. Card, to the Chicago office. Cutler has had much experience in the middle west. * * * John K. Grier who recently resigned as Canadian sales manager of the Famous Players-Lasky Company, has joined the sales staff of the United Mae Marsh as she appears in her new Goldwyn picture, "The Beloved Traitor."