Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS 13 ONE YEAR'S DEVELOPMENT There thrives in Butte an enterprise, the ^Montana Amusement Companj-, which has Hnked itselt into the daily lives of a greater number of people than 3.ny other industry in the state of Montana. Between January 15, 1910, and the same date in 1911, more than 2,500,000 men, women and children have sought and found wholesome and economical amusement in the pictorial and vaudeville houses now conirolled and operated by this phenomenally successful institution. Astounding, indeed, is the information just given out by this company to the effect that 3,300,000 feet 01 motion picture films were shown in its theaters during the year, which, if placed end to end, would extend from J*iew York to 1-ondon and back agam and which comprised 49,950,000 separate photographs — hgures almost beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Intimately known to but few of its patrons, the IMontana Amusement has developed during the short period of one year into a formidable business industry, and has with giant strides gradually and healthfully passed from a one-theater enterprise to a nine-theater corporation, from employees numbering ten to the little army of one httndred and twentylive, and from an annual payroll of $8,500 to the gigantic total of $110,000. The Montana Amusement Company, which began operations in Butte a little more: than a year ago, is to-day in control of a chain of profitable houses extending from Billings on the east to Butte on the west and to Great Falls on the north. In Butte the average weekly attendance at the houses controlled only by this company aggregates 28,000 persons, th;s figure including the liberal patronage being accorded to the reorganized New Empire Theater, which only seven weeks ago passed into the hands of the Alontana Amusement Company, and which, under the Aladdin-like touch of capable management has already become what is undoubtedly the treasure state's foremost vaudeville house. While the amusement company has recently brought highclass vaudeville within its broad scope of entertainment offerings, the chief source of revenue is derived from its vast motion picture interests. What is one of the handsomest moving picture houses in America is the recently comnleted Imperial Theater in Butte. Known as "The House of a Thousand Lights and Mirrors," this magnificent theater stands as a monument to the growing popularity of this form of amusement and bespeaks for the Aiontana Amusement Company and for Butte the high favor in which a superbly appointed motion picture emporium is held by local theatergoers. The Imperial is the only moving picture house in the countrj' equipped with a solid mirror lobby and exclusive leather divan seating facilities. The Alcazar Theatorium in Anaconda is now being remodeled and in a few days will be similarly arranged. Like the Imperial, the Anaconda house will take first rank among the most costly theaters in the country and will add but another mark of distinction to this rapidly growing enterprise. No industry in the world is undergoing so rapid an evolution as this marvelous system of visualization, and nothing is becoming more potent as an educational factor in the lives of all classes. The many thousands of patrons of the IMontana Amusement Company have, at an infinitesimal cost, been taken to every country in the world by means of the motion picture. They have visited every city of mentionable size and they have seen every nationality. They have laughed and they have wept at the faithful depiction of life as it existed a thousand years ago and as it is to-day. They have watched the course of the ravages of disease and have learned much concerning medical science. To London, Paris or New York in the twinkling of an eye is but one of the marvelous feats of the motion picture, and the camera does not lie. The people have ceased to marvel, but they have not ceased to be subtly and oftentimes unconsciously influenced, educated or amused. The Montana Amusement Company, with a capital stock of $200,000, is a close corporation. The stockholders, officers and directors are F. T. Bailey, president; George H. Grombacher, secretary-treasurer, and William Cutts, general manager. These three men have watched carefully over the destinies of the amusement field in Montana and have seen their own enterprise grow out of its swaddling clothes and assume its present proportions. Gradually but cautiously these local motion* picture pioneers have reached out and have grasped many promising sites and locations, until their interests have attained statewide dimensions. The failure of a motion picture theater is generally a direct result of inefficient management, and even then does one rarely hear of insolvency.. That the affairs of the ^Montana Amusement Company are being efficiently managed is reflected in the present magnitude of the enterprise. What, in the light of past achievement, the iMontana Amusement Companj will add to its holdings during the present year will best be written in the history of 1911. It IS predicted by the most conservative that the siory will be both interesting and one of continued success. SEEN ON THE CURTAIN By Waltcn The School Ma'am's Courage — (Reliance). — A theme by no means new, yet treated in a way that is new. The photography is good, but the manufacturing end needs attention. The acting is realistic; the "bully" as a serio-comic role is a careful study; the school ma'am presented with that tenderness, so full of strength, that marks all this actress' work, by which she is becoming not only a favorite, but an influence wherever these films are shown. The old parents are just a piece of pure home life. The daughter, anxious to help them, secures a school ma'am's position. At first the children, led by the "bully," make her life miserable. She tries to persuade him to help her; he half promises, then betrays her trust. The quiet little body suddenly breaks loose and thrashes him; the beginning of his downfall, which culminates when his father drags him in howling. The girl's influence wins and her birthday is celebrated by presents from her scholars — including the reformed "bully." The last picture with the old folks by the fire and the girl singing an evening hymn of thanksgiving in the "gloaming"; in pose, workmanship and motif, art presented by artists. The Transgressor — (Nestor). — A sombre story that ends in an act of splendid sacrifice. A man, because of transgression, has to leave wife and child. When the mother is dying she sends for him; he is captured and sent to prison. The daughter is adopted and when grown up has many suitors, amongst them a lawj-er — who has a big streak of yellow — and a sailor — the favored one. The father escapes from prison by using the lawyer's coat; this fellow of the skunk tribe finds the old man and demands the daughter or back to prison for him. There's a terrific uproar when the truth becomes known to his daughter; her character does not shine. Then the "transgressor" rises to the sublime when he declares he is not her father, leaving her to comfort while he goes back to prison. The warden takes things pretty calmly. The girl's part serves as a black background to the "transgressor's" light that shines before men. Savoy Cavalry — (Ambrosio). — Fine examples of the wonderful cavalry drill common in the Italian army. The photography is flawless and the work of the factory that turns out films that are as "steady as a rock," a delight to audiences. Tweedledum As a Detective — (Ambrosio). — This is a piece of real fun. It is not trick photography and a "chaser." The head and feet of a man stick out of a barrel; a woman sees this and rushes off to the police department. There is immense activity, all funny. Tweedledum is summoned and the crowds, police, everybody, with the volatile pantomime of Italy, sets to work. Tweedledum as Sherlock Holmes is inimitably droll. He measures the fOot sticking out of the barrel and then proceeds to upset people and measure their feet. Of course, in true detective style, he arrests an innocent man. The end being, that after all the fuss, it is no murder, but simply a gay dog that is sleeping it off. The last scene is a hilarious riot in which judges, barristers and the rest take part. The reel is really funny, Tweedledum at his best. The Instalment Plan — (American). — Two young fellows furnish their room from an instalment house. They get behind, so one morning, before they're dressed, Cohen's man comes and strips the place. A wire arrives telling of the coming of aunt and uncle; in desperation they borrow a neighbor's effects — who is out for the day. Just as all are at peace, neighbor returns. Everything is swept out and aunt and uncle depart in high dudgeon. The aunt slips back with some money. I don't think the best has been made of the possibilities of the yarn. On the Border of the Forest— (Urban-Eclipse).— This is a fine reproduction of a romance from the days "when knights were bold." A Count, secure in his castle, is a rapacious old vagabond, preying upon the peasantry and travelers. The Prince, his overlord, hears of it and, disguised as a monk, enters the Counts castle, sees for himself and