Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1925-May 1926)

TORONTO, ONTARIO. James A. Kirkpatrick at Montreal Representing Vital Exchanges There HE Montreal representative of Vital Exchanges will introduce another old-timer to Canadian Exhibitors in the person of James A. Kirkpatrick, who was for seven years associated with Universal in Canada. Mr. Kirkpatrick was selected for the Montreal office after a most careful survey of the situation by the general manager for Canada, Mr. R. J. Romney. The Vital Exchanges are now doing business, the new offices in the Hermant Bldg., in Toronto, are spacious and equipped with an eye for permanence. It is a healthful sign for Canada to have Independents courageous enough to enter a field which under existing Trust conditions does not leave room for fair competition, however, those who have had the good sense to stick to Canada and their principles have managed to do business with Independents, the Independent exhibitors at last realizing that “together they stand,” divided they have not a chance. The Davis Distributing Division, Inc., affiliated with Vital, as one of the companies cooperating on the National Laugh Month idea offer to exhibitors through Vital Exchanges and their other distributors an outstanding line of comedies and other short product. Among the comedies which are available for January are the following: “Hey Fellas,” “Saturday,” “Fire Flies,” “The Tin Hoss,” “What Price Orphans,” “The Klynick,” “Six Faces West,” “Ringling’s Rivals” and several others, titles of which are not yet ready. The “Sheiks and Shebas” comedies available are, “Peggy the Vamp,” “Peggy in a Pinch,” “Peggy's Putters,” “Peggy’s Pests,” “Peggy's Heroes,” “Peggy’s Helpers” and “Peggy's Reward.” Additional titles will be announced before January. In the Herrick “Fragment of Life” series of two-reelers without sub-titles there is a certain element of comedy although these are dramatic subjects and where exhibitors want to play an all short feature bill the five Fragments should be considered. They are: “It Might Happen To You,” “The Promise,” “The Invention,” “Crooked” and “The Valiant Skipper.’ Other short product available are the “Cinema Stars” reels showing the stars at work and at play and the two mystery serials “The Mystery Box” and “The Power God” both starring Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber. “The Mystery Box” is completed and “The Power God” will be ready for release in December. Banquet of M. P. T. 0. Rallied Industry’s Representatives HE banquet of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners, Ontario Division, which followed the convention sessions held at the King Edward Hotel, Tues., Nov. 17th, had an attendance of over one hundred and fifty. An excellent supper and programme were. furnished and as the hours grew earlier after midnight, the hilarity and good spirits increased. Col. John Cooper, representing the Distributors’ Association, gave an interesting address, although the olive branch which had been previously proffered by the secretary of the Association, the present writer rather, to quote Col. Cooper, placed him at a disadvantage, however, the inconvenience must have been of a minor nature for the address was as spontaneous, friendly and wise as the occasion demanded. Capt. Orr representing our provincial government, was another honoured guest as was also Mr. Buckley and Mr. Tom Scott, long known to exhibitors in Canada for his exhibitor organizing aspirations and his Independent ideals. Capt. Orr spoke briefly but to the point, the point being the contract between the government and the Industry and a promise of a “play ball” spirit between both, resulting in mutual advantages, Mr. Scott’s address carried his chief’s idea along, expressing the same promise of co-operation. Mr. J. C. Brady welcomed those assembled and was in his usual good form as was also our toastmaster, Ald. Summerville, who had the honour of deliver ing the toast to His Gracious Majesty, King George of England. Addresses were given by Mr. P. C. Taylor of the F. B. O. The other speakers were not speakers, but entertainers This sounds Irish, but let us be more explicit by eliciting instances, “Bill” Melody, of Vital, just had to sing, who would let him talk knowing he was the possessor of a melodious vocal organ, Mr. Kennedy also sang a pleasing selection. Sid. Taube was in good form, he did a Highland Fling, Archie Laurie beamed upon everybody, told us all how happy he was to be with the Independents; but looks as if he hadn’t a care in the world being just where he is. Mr. Hanson of Educational had Mrs. Hanson along with him and behaved like an Educational special, very instructive, but silent, Mrs. Sam Bloom had not the same effect upon Sammy, it was still necessary to tell him to control himself. The banquet was graced by the presence of many beautiful women and young ladies, the wives, sweethearts and daughters of representatives of our Industry, we enjoyed their presence as much as they appeared to enjoy being with us. Your editor talked Board of Trade and Commerce, being the only woman speaker, she talked longer than the others, her peaceful tendencies predominated and not once did she mention Trust, although the words Independent and Independence were utilized, such an omission would have been difficult for a saint and ye editor will never be commemorated in a stained glass window for saintly aspirations. wall. _ Page Five F. B. O. Has “Lucky “Eleven” Companies Working ARLY winter finds the F. B. O. lot buzzing merrily with many companies at work. James Hogan is off in a cloud of dust, so to speak, with “King of the Turf,” a racing melodrama from the joint pens of Louis Joseph Vance, the novelist, and John C. Brownell, home office scenario head of F. B. O. J. Grubb Alexander wrote the script. The principals will be Kenneth Harlan, Doleres Costello and Henry B. Walthall. Harmon Weight is cutting and editing his oil field melodrama“ Flaming Waters,” produced for F. B. O by Associated Arts Corporation, ‘o whose credit goes also “Drusilla with a Million,” F. B. O.’s outstanding hit of the year. Mary Carr, Pauline Garon and Malcolm McGregor are featured in the new production. “The Midnight Flyer,’ a railroad melodrama also is in the hands of the F. B. O. editors. It was adapted bv J. Grubb Alexander and directed by Tom Forman with Dorothy Devore and Cullen Landis featured. Dorothy Johnson will shortly launch “The Non-Stop Flight,” a dramatization of the recent naval flight to HaIt will have an all-star cast and be Mr. Johnson’s most ambitious effort to date. Evelyn Brent has just completed “A Broadway Lady” by Fred Kennedy Myton and will start work next week on “Bright Lights” by the same writer. Fred Thomson is preparing his next. Dick Talmadge is at work on “Sco This is Mexico,” (tentative) a melodramatic comedy. Maurice (Lefty) Flynn is preparing a football drama after completing “Smilin’ at Trouble.” Flynn, be it known, was a gridiron hero at Yale and the most popular player in the collegiate world a decade ago. Harry Garson will film this storv. Tom Tyler is shooting exterior scenes for “The Cowboy Musketeer” with Bob De Lacy handling the megaphone. Bob Custer has finished “The Ridin’ Streak” and is filming fight scenes for “The News Buster,” in which he plays the role of a cowboy reporter. Del Andrews is directing. Alberta Vaughn, Larry Kent, Kit Guard and Al Cooke are working on Episode Nine of “The Mazie”’ series with Ralph Cedar directing. WANTED Sixty Veneered Opera Chairs in good condition. State price wanted in first letter. Address— Mgr. WONDERLAND THEATRE LINDSAY, ONT. Pictures Read The Digest Advertising Pages. | Before Buying Codgle