The Moving Picture World (April 1907)

104 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. point, L. I., N. Y., the other in Williamsburg. Options on two other locations have been secured for additional theatres, one in Eighth avenue, New York City, the other in or near Fulton street, Brooklyn. Additional lo- cations are now being sought in desirable spots. The company expects to open ten amusement houses at once, and install its own factory for the taking of pictures and the making of films. * * * John P. Harris, the genial manager for Harry Davis, of Pittsburg, was in New York last week, and from him we learnt that his firm has a circuit of 20 Nickelodeons in Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pitts- burgh, Allegheny and several smaller towns, and are contemplating opening more. Mr. Harris claims positive- ly that he was the pioneer of the Nickelodeon, having opened the first one in Smithfield street, Pittsburgh, and never thought he was lighting a torch that has spread throughout the United States, and from advices received is getting its roots well planted in England, France and Germany, thus illustrating the saying, "Great events from little causes spring." We also learnt that this firm's rental and supply business is increasing by leaps and bounds, and his visit was to hurry, up some of the man- facturers so that they can keep up with the demands of their ever-increasing customers. One point Mr. Harris specially impressed upon us was the fact that all the films dealt with or shown by this firm were clean, and such that will not shock the sensi- tiveness of one^s wife, sweetheart, or daughter. This augurs well for their prosperity and success. • * * * The public officials of Akron have started a war against the lower grade of saloons, which are now troubling Youngstown. As a result the city council, at the instance of Chief of Police Durkin and Mayor Kempel, has passed an ordinance making it a misdemeanor for saloonkeepers to put on moving picture shows. This style of entertainment has been introduced in Youngstown. At least two West Federal street saloons are giving free moving picture shows. A number of other owners are said to be contemplating a move similar to that inaugurated for the benefit of patrons. '. These entertainments in connection with saloons at- tract, the officials of Akron Say, a class of men and women of low repute in many instances. Therefore the city offi- cials decided to put a stop to the practice, which promises to endanger the morals of the people of the city. A violation of the ordinance is punishable by a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $100 or 30 days in the county jail, or both, at the discretion of the Court. [We tell our temperance friends that the Nickelodeon is proving a counter attraction to the saloon, and the above clipping certainly proves our contentions.— Ed.] * * * That there is nothing new under the sun has become a trite saying, but few would question that the penny-in- the-slot machine was distinctly a product of the present day. Yet this is very far from being the case, as a work by Hero, of Alexandria, who flourished about 100 B. C, conclusively proves. A careful perusal of the Alexan- drian's writings will show that many modern devices are by no means new in principle. Here, for instance, a ma- chine is described and illustrated which is provided with a slot, and the dropping of a small coin into this will cause a measured quantity of liquid to flow out. In this book may also be found the prototype of the steam turbine, the new form of engine which, after being applied to the service of several steamers in the Englij] Channel, is now being used for propelling the Cunarders across the broad Atlantic Ocean. The de is undoubtedly the same, though there is nothing to i__ that its practical application was possible at that tin But it should be borne in mind that Hero's work is I bonafide production of the period to which it is assign and that the designs by which it is illustrated are sketches of contemporaneous draughtsmen. And penny-in-the-slot machine shows how closely, in the l_ as in the greater affairs of life, the men of the ancie world resembled those of to-day. * * * Another theatre for the Keith circuit in Maine is; sured. This will be in Bangor. The contracts have jn been closed with John R. Graham for a floor of Graham block. It is the intention of the Keith people to open a theatre in this building somewhat on the line of Nickelodeon in Boston. The large space on the floor was originally intended for three stores. This! will be fitted up in fine style and a moving picture 1 will be run there. It is expected that the theatre provided will have a seating capacity of between 600; 700. The alterations and improvements planned will < about $15,000. It is the intention to have a display of moving pic in the theatre. The show will begin early in the noon, probably 1 o'clock, and continue until 10 or o'clock at night It will be a continuous perfor The admission probably will be a nickel, and one can! as long as he likes after he gets in. The Keith people also have a lease of the basement 1 neath the proposed theatre and will fit up this bas after the fashion of those penny arcades, which are popular in the large cities. There will be all kinds 1 penny-in-the-slot machines, in which you drop a pen and see anything from the Battle of Gettysburg to Com Island at midnight, probably a crystal maze and otl amusing features. * *' * A correspondent in Cincinnati sends the following:] "Thaddeus A. Nolan, twenty-four, inventor, and sketch artist, has invented and perfected a new 1 ing picture machine, after three months of hard work] his little workshop, at 2053 Columbia avenue. It is; * his bedroom, den, studio and library. "The new machine is hidden in a cupboard. Onljj few have had the privilege of seeing it work. Those 1 have say it is a success, for it brings the pictures do twice as fast and holds the light on the picture four 1' as long as any other moving picture machine. It the pictures plainer and brings out every detail in' film. There is no flicker or friction and the new makes it possible to watch a moving picture exhibit 1 out tiring your eyes or hurting them by the flicker. "Nolan has not applied, for a patent, but will as as he completes the organization of the stock con which will manufacture the new invention. "Nolan also has a copyright on an official table of < tances between cities which can be learned in an * "A few years ago Nolan was a newsboy. In fact, I sold papers for seven years. Later he got a position j operator of a moving picture machine. He spent '" and nights studying every part of the machine, le his business thoroughly, and then figured out wherej machine could be perfected and its faults done with." ,