Show World (April 1909)

10 THE SHOW WORLD April 10, 1909, MANY NOTABLES SEE FILMS AT LITTLE ROCK. Governor of Arkansas and Other Dis¬ tinguished Visitors Applaud In¬ ternational Product. Little Rock, Ark., April 2. The exhibition of films by the Interna¬ tional Projecting and Producing Com¬ pany given here under the direction of EDWARD R. BECK. Secretary H. J. Streyckmans, met with the customary enthusiasm encountered in the many other metropolitan cities where the subjects have been shown. Owing to a delay, Mr. Streyckmans was unable to reach here April 1, as had been stated in the invitations issued, and many exhibitors were unable to remain, having come in from outlying towns. The films attracted considerable atten¬ tion and comment. Among the notables ■present were Governor of Arkansas, George W. Donaghey; Mayor of Little Rock, W. R. Duley; Attorney General 'Hal Norwood; City Clerk Geo. A. Counts; Frank Oliver, private secretary to the mayor; R. C. Porter, treasurer Citizens Investment Co.; Mike P. Fors¬ ter, of buffet and cafe fame, and J. Francis MiUer, the well-known amuse¬ ment promoter whose name is not un¬ familiar to Chicagoans. Among the exhibitors present were the following: Chas. Murta, Princess thea¬ ter; John McClure, Jo Jo theater; G. K. Jorgensen, Crystal theater; H. O. Bandy, manager Crystal theater- Sim Evans, Venice theater; W. S. Layton, Lyric the¬ ater; F. Jennings, Wonderland theater; Chas. T. Taylor, Capital theater; Saul S. Harris, Majestic theater; Chas. Mc¬ Cullough, stage manager Capital theater (all of Little Rock) ; Mr. Montgomery, Majestic theaters Nos. 1 and 2, Memphis, Tenn.; Mr. Daniels, Lyceum theater. Hot Springs, Ark.; Mr. Matthews, Atkins, Ark.; O. C. Harb, Lonoke, Ark.; James Enlow, Star theater, Argenta, Ark.; E. W. Butler, Russellville, Ark., and Louis Mitchell, manager of the Mitchell Film Exchange, Little Rock. The pictures were applauded by the audience, and Mayor Duley expressed his satisfaction that Little Rock citizens would be enabled to see the class of sub¬ jects exhibited. Attorney General Norwood expressed himself as strongly opposed to Trust methods and assured Mr. Streyckmans of his co-operation. Little Rock has been a stronghold of the Trust, but from the expressions of the exhibitors after the meeting, it would appear that the Independent exchange which will be in operation within the next ten days, using the product of the International Projecting and Producing Company, will secure the major portion of the business in that locality. Many exhibitors did not fully understand the situation, nor the fact that they were no longer subservient to the Trust, but after the address by Mr. Streyckmans they looked upon the matter in a different light and expressed their determination to sever relations with the Trust. MINNEAPOLIS MEETING HELD DESPITE TRUST Exhibitor Who Donates His Theater for International Display Is Threatened With Discontinuance. HERMAN FICHTENBERG President of the Wm. H. Swanson Independent Dixie Film Co., of New Orleans, wearing the smile that wont come off. Minneapolis, March 30. But for the courageous stand take.n by Manager A. J. Kavanaugh of the Gem theater here, today, there prob¬ ably would have been no exhibition of Independent films, at least, the ad¬ vertised place of exhibition would have had to be changed and much delay might have been occasioned. According to the best authorities, as soon as the local trust representatives heard yesterday that the International Company had arranged with Manager- Kavanaugh of the Gem for the use of his theater, they made every effort to stop the exhibition. It is said that Kavanaugh was offered his own price to “throw down” the independents, by refusing them the use of his house. When this means failed, the Gem was threatened with discontinuance of the theater; C. E. Van Dusee, N. W. Film Exchange; G. D. Strong, operator; Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Dick, Hastings, Minn.; C. Henningsen, Stillwater, Minn.; A. FJ Myers, Stillwater, Minn.; Messrs. Hansen and Gaylord, New Ulm, Minn., and many others. Among titles of films shown were: Italy’s Naval Maneuvers, a very in¬ teresting subject showing battleships in action, target practice, firing of tor- pedos, blowing up hulls used as tar¬ gets, etc., one of the best subjects shown. Miracle of the Necklace (Lux). This was a hand colored film of a fairy tale woven around the necklace of Notre Dame. Trust service. Kavanaugh could not be co-erced, however, and opened his house to the exhibitors, as was adver¬ tised. The call for the meeting allowed but a very short notice to exhibitors and exchange men of this and the sur¬ rounding territory, but despite this fact, the managers of nearly every moving picture house in this city and St. Paul was present and quite a num¬ ber from nearby towns to greet In¬ ventor McKinney, who was ably as¬ sisted by Jos. 1. Schnitzer, resident manager of the Mullin Film Service, both of whom were kept busy an¬ swering questions regarding the In¬ dependent service. Nearly every man present expressed his satisfaction with the films exhib¬ ited and remarked particularly upon the high photographic quality and nioral tone of the subjects. The meet¬ ing was a business meeting in every sense of the word. Those who may have come to scoff remained to praise. Many Exhibitors Present. Among those present were the fol¬ lowing local people: Messrs. Garner and Scoville, Milo theater; B. Sodini, Princess Theater; J. M. Schmidt, Scenic theater; A. J. Kavanaugh^ Gem In Sardinia (Italia Torreno). An interesting love story in which father and son love the same girl who event¬ ually marries the son. Stormy Sea. A reproduction of a hurricane on the coast showing bil¬ lows dashing against the rocks, clouds of spray, etc., very beautiful. Follow Me and You’ll Pay For It (Italia Torreno), introducing the fa¬ miliar “Foolshead” in street and cafe scenes. For a Woman’s Sake. A well acted tragedy of Russia. First Comes the Fatherland (Ac- quila). The story of a young man who is drafted in the army and deserts for love, but is driven out by the father of his sweetheart and told to win his spurs honorably. He goes back, leads his comrades and finally dies from wounds received in battle for “The Fatherland.” Magic Sack (Eclair). A comedy in¬ troducing a tramp with a magic sack which causes the disappearance of all who enter it. In the French Latarol. A beautiful scenic film of the mountains and val¬ leys of F'rance en route to Monaco. (Ralph & Roberts.)—BARNES. BACHMANN ADDRESSES KANSAS CITY MEET. President of Twentieth Century Opti- , scope Co. Tells Why He Quit the Trust. J Kansas City, Mo., March 31. The meeting of the Internatiowl j; Projecting and Producing Compaoy’s , special exhibitors, headed by H. J, Streyckmans, secretary of the concern 1, was held at the Olympic theater. . About one hundred persons attends. ■ Speeches were made by .R. G. Bach- I man, president of the Twentieth Opti- (, scope Company, which recently “went in- ■- dependent,” and Charles J. Sherer, man¬ ager of the local branch of that concern. ; In his speech Mr. Bachman gave his reasons for withdrawing from the Trust, • stating that the methods pursued b- the Patents Company were not to his liking, ; and that, furthermore, he was firmly con¬ vinced that the International Company i was in position to furnish him, as an ex- - change man, a greater variety of sub¬ jects, of better photographic quality and s higher moral tone. His statement to the | eeffet that he had placed orders with the International Companv for films, brought forth great applause. Mr. Sherer’s speech was brief, but , much to the point. He assured the ex- I hibitors present that he would do all in . his power to give them the best service possible. Dr. Ray Gives Assurance. | Dr. Ray, who donated the theater for ' the occasion, has done much to advance the cause of independence among moving picture men, and much credit is due him for his efforts in opposing the Trust He was enthusiastic over the meeting j and stated that he felt satisfied that the days of worriment for the exhibitor were I now over, and he urged every exhibitor I to enroll under the banner of the Inter- , national Company. Among those present were: Ed. Lamp- son, Leavenworth, Kan.; C. A. Jarvis, i Independence, Mo.; Dr. Richard Ray; Standcliff, of the Subway theater; Ham¬ burger, of the Cameraphone; Wm. Meyer, of Armourdale, Kan.; Wood¬ ward, of Argentine, Kan.; Flod Sparks, Holden, Kan.; Morton, of Burlington, Kan.; Leroy, of Nevada, Mo.; Gau, of Butler, Mo.; Jim Gibbons, Lawrence, Kan.; H. M. Ernst, Atchison, Kan.; Roy W. Current, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Frank Spandle, Frank Ruscinski, C. S. Costello, Arthur Baker, and others - of this city: M. E. Sapp, Galena, Kan.; D. T. Mote, Topeka, Kan.; representa^s