The Moving Picture World (May 1908)

392 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD are being rigorously shut out. Films that have become worn are refused by subscribers, and then there is a tendency to give more for the money. The old one-reel-show with a song, has given place to two reels, and there are some that give as many as six reels—a reel being a thousand feet and occupying about twenty minutes to run through. Such a show lasts an hour and a half, and all such managers are particular to put on none but first-class films; first class both in the quality of the pictures and films as well as first class in the matter of subjects. Of course, such a show comes high, but an appreciative public will make it profitable, and my understanding is that they do. What City Authorities Should Do. ' _ . _-_ To sum up my ideas of what a city board should do re- specting the moving picture business, I would enact that no moving picture show should be allowed to operate ex- cept it is supplied with some standard make of machine that is supplied with an efficient automatic shutter and sheet steel fireproof boxes; that the show should never go on except when these appliances are in actual use; that all film reels shall be kept, when not in actual use, shut up tight within metal boxes; that no one should be permitted to operate a machine in public except a thoroughly compe- tent operator. I would include absolute sobriety; that no smoking shall be permitted in the operating booth by any- body while a show is in progress, and that the booth shall always be kept spick and span as to order and cleanliness, and that the insulation of the cable to the arc lamp shall be under constant supervision of say the city electrical engineer. These regulations would be enough if only the State would make it a criminal offense involving both the operator and the manager, to have a fire originate from any cause in the operating booth. This is enough for all pur- poses of safety relating specifically to the moving picture theater. It would make fire or panic one of the impossi- bilities. Then let the press unite to tell the absolute truth about them and thus help to fill the seats. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON FILM SUBJECTS. "The Holy City" is one of the most beautiful and impressive pictures ever shown. "A Poor Man's Romance" tells a story which appeals to every heart and demonstrates the truth of the old adage that "honesty is the best policy." "Hulda's Lovers" is a humorous skit with many amusing situations. "Engaped Against His Will" is full of comical situations. "The Gambling Demon" is very sensational and teaches a valuable lesson. "The Vestal" is guaranteed to please. "Stone Industry in Sweden" is an educational subject that is a pleasing variety from the buffoonery that is noticeable in many films. More subjects of this kind should be encour- aged. "The Mishaps of a Bashful Man" keeps the house in roars •f laughter. "A Narrow Escape" is thrilling from start to finish. "Romeo and Juliet." The possibilities of motion pictures seem to have been reached in the successful representation of the drama. "A Modern Sampson" is a sensational subject which makes you sit up and take notice. "Cowboy Sports and Pastimes" is a thrilling portrayal of the hazardous stunts of the boys on the Western plains. "The Prophetess of Thebes is intensely interesting. "The Tale the Autumn Leaves Told" is a well told dramatic story that is interesting from start to finish. "The Sleeping Beauty" represents the limit of achievement in the moving picture art. "King of the Cannibal Islands" is as good as a play. Comic •pera without the uproar. "Humanity Through the Ages" is very elaborate and very instructive. "The Night Riders" faithfully depicts the various situa- tions in the tobacco war that has lately been waged in the South. "The Lion Hunt" is the real article and the action is splendid. "Michael Strogoff" tells a story of political Russia and stands unequaled as a faithful reproduction of life in the Slay country. Pa L. C. Jones will establish a film exchange in Lock Haven, Hoyt's Theater, South Norwalk, Conn., has been given over to moving pictures. Napoleon, Ohio, April 16.—A moving picture parlor is in course of erection on Washington street. Wheeling, W. Va., April 21.—The Aurora Theater has opened with moving pictures and illustrated songs. Nevada, Mo., April 26.—The Orpheum Theater (formerly vaudeville) -will be converted into a moving picture theater by Mr. John A. Tyler. Burlington, Kan., April 20.—J. H. Sherman is fitting up a moving picture show on Third street, in the store formerly occupied by the Pioneer Hardware Company. Those who are in need of a portable fireproof operating booth should correspond with Williams, Brown & Earle, 918 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. We understand that -several of our readers are using their booths and express themselves as being well pleased with them. St. Louis, Mo., April 23.—A suit charging infringement on a patent belonging to Thomas A. Edison on a kinetographic camera, was filed yesterday in the United States Circuit Court against James A. Fortee, an artist of this city. The plaintiff is the Edison Manufacturing Company, of Orange, N. J. . Elizabeth, N. J., April 14.—Several of the fire commission- ers visited the moving picture halls in this city yesterday afternoon with a view to ascertaining how the managers of the amusement places are living up to the promises made in regard to safeguarding the audiences. It is announced that all the precautions possible have been taken to prevent fires and to protect the spectators should a blaze start from the picture machine. Des Moines, la., April 18.—Fire Marshal Louis Siegel has a new ordinance to regulate, the moving picture shows. He wants the operators put under examination control and the machines regularly inspected for fire protection. The ordi- nance is now being finished and will probably go before the Council early next week. Siegel claims that some of the electric machines are operated by boys. He says there is danger in this and wants a set of rules to govern the operat- ing rooms in order to prevent accidents. Kewanee, 111., April 21.—Dreamland, the Main street five- cent theater, resumed business last evening after having been closed for several weeks, and judging from the attend- ance, the place will prove even more popular now than be- fore. At each performance the seating capacity was taxed and until closing time there was a steady stream of patrons coming in and out. It was not only Dreamland that did well - yesterday, for both the Princess and Nickelodeon theaters, the Chestnut street amusement places, had a large attendance last even- ing, as well as yesterday afternoon. Wilmington, Del., April 17.—City Council last night unani- mously passed the ordinance regulating moving picture places of this city. The only changes are that the annual. license is increased from $25 to $100 instead of $75, and another change is that before a license can be procured, the place must be approved by the building inspector. Other provisions of the ordinance are that the operator must be over eighteen years of age, that no smoking shall