Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1925-May 1926)

Page Six CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST. Vital Exchanges of Canada Limited St. John, Montreal, Toronto Branches R. J..Romney President and General Manager of the Canadian Vital. R. R. J. ROMNEY, for fourteen years a representative of Vitagraph in St. John, has taken the presidency and general managership of the Vital Exchanges of Canada, Ltd. Mr. Romney, like the founders of the Vitagraph is a hundred per cent Britisher and Independent. When the Vitagraph veterans beheld the fade-out of Vitagraph, they decided that the old spirit, should not depart and these veterans banding their interests, organized the Vital E.xchanges with David R. Hochreich as their president. To Mr. Hochreich is attributed the inspiration which prompted Joseph M. Seider, Chairman of the arbitration and contract committee of the Motion Picture Theatre owners of America to formulate the new approved contract. Associated with Vital Exchanges is J. Charles Davis, 2nd, who has affiliated his entire distributing and producing units. Mr. Davis has had ample opportunity to study the requisitions of this Industry through his former association with the FamousPlayers Lasky and the Arrow Pictures Corp. J. K. Adams, Vice President of the Davis Distributing Division, is another important official, having handled the publicity previously for the Arrow Pictures Corp. and later as president of the Rotograph Company, and the Ritchey Lithographic Company association which gave him a very comprehensive knowledge of advertising H. F. Kells Developing the Artist Within Himself H. F. Kells, assistant manager of the Regent Theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, has blossomed forth as a real artist— a painter. He is completing a character partrait of which, he hopes, may find its way into the National Art Gallery of Canada. This portrait will be placed on view shortly in Ottawa. Mr. Kells obtained his start as an artist in the painting of scenes from coming film attractions at the Regent for window displays. He has given up this commercial work, however, in order to concentrate on the painting of more idealistic subjects. Montreal Amusement Tax returns for June, July and August, 1925, netted $134,710. Half of this is apportioned to Quebec and half to Montreal. and accessories essential to the success of a picture. As Chairman of the Vital Exchanges Board is Leo A. Price. Mr. Price was formerly president of Rothenberg & Co., and is now president of the Associated Banking Corp. Arthur L. Price and Walter Cohen, are also members of the Vital Board, these gentlemen holding official positions with the Associated Banking Corp. Senator Abraham Kaplan another member of the Board is a wellknown lawyer and an expert, it is said, on motion picture matters. Mr. R. J. Romney needs no introduction to Canada. The Maritime province know him for a “square shooter,” and exhibitors look upon him not in the relationship of a “mere” distributor, but a business friend. Mr. Romney informs The Digest that his company have now fifty-seven productions in St. John awaiting release. He will bring into Canada for distribution a total of one hundred and seventy-five features and short subjects. Mr. Bill Melody, of melodious as well as salesmanship fame will take charge of Vital’s Toronto office. The headquarters of Vital will be at St. John, ‘‘and we will blaze a trail across the Dominion to Toronto,” states Mr. Romney. ‘Watch the front page of The Digest, it is ours this year,” we will tell you, show you and help you to remain vitally Independent.” Mer. Bardessono Opens New Hotel Opposite New Empire at Timmins P. M. Bardessono, manager of the New Empire Theatre at Timmins, in the heart of the mining district of Northern Ontario, has announced the opening of a handsome new hotel with 100 rooms and modern equipment throughout, the hostelry being adjacent to. the theatre. Leo Mascioli is associated with Mr. Bardessono as proprietors of the attractive hotel. A Free Casting Bureau in Los Angeles is being established by the association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc. The Bureau is being supported by producers, application for positions will there be made. The details of selection have not yet been worked out, but extras and players can register. It has been the custom for extras to pay as high as 15 per cent of their one day wage, for a day’s work. This cost repeats daily if work is provided. The Free Casting Bureau will eliminate any charges for employment. Exhibitor Cautioned Regarding Joining Copyright Society OL. COOPER of the Hays’ or ganization, Canada, issues a note of warning to exhibitors in connection with circulars forwarded to them by the Canadian Performing Right Society Ltd. Accompanying the circular is other literature calling for information in connection with your theatre. The copyright law presented to Canada in connection with copyright music was defeated, but the promoters of the idea are coutinuing their fight of endeavoring to collect a license from each theatre, public hall, park, where music is presented. It is a dangerous precedent to establish and apparently unfair since all composers are paid a royalty on their compositions by the publishers, who collect their returns from sales to the public. The musicians contribute their share by popularizing the compositions and thus stimulating the sales. The Musical Amusement Association has been formed in Canada. The executive: Lawrence Solmon, Royal Alexandra Theatre; John Arthur, Hippodrome Theatre: Jerry Shea, Shea’s ; Capt. M. W. Plunkett, Musical Producer; D. C. Ross, Canadian National Exhibition; J. C. Brady, Madison Theatre; R. K. Hunt, King Edward Hotel; John A. Cooper, Motion Picture Distributors; all of Toronto. The following circular has been forwarded to the various theatres: October 22nd, 1925. Dear Sir: Quite recently an Association has been formed in Canada for the purpose of compelling all Theatres, Churches, Restaurants, Annual Exhibitions, Military Bands, Orchestras and other Institutions performing music in public for profit, to take out musical licenses. This Association is known as the Canadian Performing Rights Society Limited and claims to control the performing rights in the repertoire of the British Performing Rights Society and certain other European Societies. They intimate in their circulars that if licenses are not taken out immediately that all the people in Canada who perform music for profit will be liable to certain legal penalties. The Musical Amusement Association has been formed in order to find out exactly what the situation is_and to afford protection to all its members. Certain steps are being taken to ascertain just what your liabilities are and to keep you informed of what is going on in regard to this matter. We would therefore urge upon you-first to make no application to the Canadian Performing Rights Society for a_ license. If we find it necessary to take out such licenses you will he informed in good time. In the second place we urge you to become a member ot this Association. The membership fee is $1.00. We want. every person who uses copyrighted music to join and as soon as you become a member you will be given confidential information with regard to the. situation. Kindly fill out and return at your early convenience. the enclosed form Yours sincerely, JOHN A. COOPER. A resolution was passed at the meeting of the M. P. ‘IT’. O. of Canada. (Ontario Division) ‘Tuesday, October 20th at the King Edward Hotel, urging the fullest co-operation from members, to join the Musical Amusement Association, Before Buying Pictures Read The Digest Advertising Pages. Google