Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

Page 34 Exhibitors Trade Review CANADIAN CENSORS FORCE CHANGES IN 523 FILMS IN YEAR MONTREAL, May 22.— The Quebec Board of Moving Picture Censors here conducted a big year's work, according to the annual report of its activities. The official statement showed that the Quebec censors had viewed 2,171 subjects during the fiscal year, this total comprising 6,639 reels. The report shows that the Quebec board examined and approved 1,414 film subjects, consisting of 2,685 reels, without any modification. Thus the Provincial board for Quebec passed almost exactly two thirds of the distinct subjects without a change of any kind. Announcement is made that the Quebec board rejected 234 film subjects on the first showing but it is pointed out that the Quebec censors ultimately passed 218 subjects on second examination after they had been reconstructed by exchanges or owners as suggested by the board. ' The exact number of pictures that were finally condemned is not definitely stated in the published report but, from these figures, it is apparent that sixteen releases were banned altogether. Incidentally, the censors required more or less extensive changes in 523 releases all told during the year, modifications being required in 24 per cent of the total subjects examined. * * * COMBINATION ROAD SHOW, FILM THEATRE OPENED EUGENIA, Ore., May 22.— New Lowell Theatre, with Donald McDonald, manager, has been opened here. The new theatre seats 1,200, 400 more than the Rex. It has a complete stage, equipped for road shows as well as for films. The opening film was Gloria Swanson's "Madame Sans-Gene." * * * ADDED FDLMS FOR MATINEE WINNIPEG, Man., May 22.— To bolster up the matinee performances at the Province Theatre, one of the oldest and largest of the downtown houses in Winnipeg, Manager H. N. Jernberg has adopted the policy of showing added pictures at the matinees only. TENT REPLACES THEATRE BLYTHEVILLE, Ark., May 22. — A new tent has replaced the Gem theatre, which was destroyed by fire recently. It had a seating capacity of 1,000. DALLAS, Tex., May 22. — Truly B. Wildman has succeeded Jimmy Hicks as manager of this office of Enterprise DistributingCorporation. * * * SNYDER, Tex., May 22. — T. L. Lollar is erecting a new theatre here. * * * KIRBYVILLE, Tex., May 22.— R. J. Cooper has opened his new theatre here. * * * KINGSVILLE, Tex., May 22. — The King's Inn theatre will be remodelled. ENNIS, Tex., May 22 — The Lyric theatre opened here to capacity business. PARIS, Texas, May 22. — The First National Bank will erect a new theatre building here. * * • CUERO, Texas, May 22. — Ferd Koenig has opened his Dreamland theatre. * • • BRENHAM, Texas, May 22. — A two-story theatre and office building costing about $68,000 will be built here. * • • CANYON, Tex., May 22. — W. N. Weeten will build a new theatre here. * • • BURKBURNETT, Tex., May 22. — M. King has purchased the Lyric theatre. "Simonides" Sketch by Molaz at Rome of Nigel de Brulier in role in "Ben Hur" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. ST. LOUIS REPORTS NUMEROUS CHANGES ST. LOUIS, May 22. — Following was reported in film circles here : Alamo, Tenn., Scout Theatre, sold by Mrs. S. B. Follis to O. E. Howell. Mrs. Follis will be retained as manager. Fornfelt, Mo., Midway Theatre, out ot business. Flat Rock, 111., Palace Theatre, will be closed temporarily to install new lighting system. Irving, 111., Opera House, C. C. Carricker, closed for summer. Makanda, 111., Opera House, closed. Mendon, Mo., Pastime Theatre, Mr. M. Minor advises theatre closed. Mt. Olive, 111., Odd Fellows Temple, closed for summer. Percy, 111., Princess, closing for summer. Quincy, 111., Family Theatre, sold to A. H. Berry. Piedmont, Mo., Princess Theatre, sold to Everett Sawyer. Sikeston, Mo., Grand Theatre, sold by Thomas Arnold to L. B. Curtiss, and then sold by Curtiss to C. W. McCutcheon. Franklin, 111., Princess Theatre, sold. Tamaroa, 111., Pastime Theatre, closed. Hunter, Mo., Hunter Consolidated Schools, report they have sold picture machine and will not use any more pictures. * * * STEEL FIRM BUYS THEATRE SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont., May 22.— The Algoma Steel Corporation, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has purchased the Duchess Theatre on Queen street, adjoining the company's business property, for $10,000. It is the intention of the corporation to use the theatre building for the benefit of employees. * * * KEMP, Tex., May 22. — C. V. Gibson is the new manager of the Rex theatre. * * * DE VALL'S BLUFF, Tex., May 22. — The Princess theatre was destroyed by fire. Loss was about $30,000. * * * ROCHESTER, May 22 — Members of the Rochester Exhibitors League staged a big film ball in the convention hall here. BARNEY ALLEN, WHO LOST THEATRE WAR IN CANADA, IS DEAD TORONTO, Ont., May 22.— Barney Allen, former head of the once great chain of moving picture houses in Canada, and at one time one of the outstanding figures in the theatre field in the Dominion, is dead. He was born in Pennsylvania fifty-eight years ago. He opened his first moving picture house in Brantford, Ontario, fourteen years ago, as a store show. This was followed by the opening of other store shows in neighboring cities and towns in western Ontario. In 1914, Mr. Allen, with his enterprising sons, removed to Calgary, Alberta, where they opened the first large exclusive moving picture palace in Canada, this being called the Allen Theatre of Calgary. They then went extensively into the building of large new moving picture theatres, causing a new era in the business in Canada. A few years later they returned to Eastern Canada, making their headquarters here, where they organized Allen Theatres, Limited. A race developed between Allen Theatres, Limited, and a rival group, headed by N. L. Nathanson, of Toronto, now managing director of Famous Players Canadian Corporation. Both sides built many large houses in direct competition and the theatre war was carried to all parts of Canada. The Aliens finally invaded the United States, erecting a house at Cleveland, Ohio, under the Allen name. They also secured an option on a large theatre in London, England, and it was their announced intention to establish a worldwide theatre chain with theatres in Europe and throughout the British Empire, in addition to Canada and the United States. The late Ben Allen actually made trips to Europe and also took a voyage around the world to study possibilities. The fifty-five theatres in Canada and the United States were then under the direct management of two sons, Jule and J. J. Allen. The development only ended in disaster, however, because Allen Theatres, Limited, passed into the hands of a receiver at Toronto about three years ago and the physical assets in Canada were acquired by Famous Players Canadian Corporation. Surviving Mr. Allen are his wife and four sons, Jule, J. J., Herbert and Sol. All four sons were prominently identified with the Allen Theatres organization until its collapse. They have been living quietly for some months past, though it has been intimated several times that they were behind a new film exchange in Canada and other ventures of recent date. * * * FORCED OUT OF THEATRE ST. LOUIS, May 22.— Mrs. Catherine Young has been forced to close her Easton Taylor Theatre because the owners of the property declined to renew the lease. They plan to remodel the structure into a commercial garage building. * * * MANAGER RETURNS CONCRETE, Wash., May 22 — J. M. Phebus, manager of the Concrete theatre, returned from Soap Lake, where he was taking treatments for about ten days. * * * SINSUN. Calif., May 22 — The new Arlington theatre, under the management of Rake & Blumenfeld, has opened its doors. * * * HAITI, Mo., May 22. — J. L. Dorris is again in charge of the Empress here. * * # PETERSBURG, Ind., May 22 — The Lyric Theatre is under new management.