Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 "VARIETY DAY" FOR SHORT LENGTH FILMS IN THEATERS PROPOSED BY GENERAL IS SUCCESS San Joaquin Valley (Cal. ) Exhibitor Adopts Plan to Replace Big Features; Scheme Relieves Routine of Daily Program It was just a month ago that General Film first broached to exhibitors through branch offices a novel m to relieve the monotony of the jnventional daily showing of a fivesi feature supplemented with three )r four reels or "fillers." The suggestion made by General is that this routine be broken by introduction of a "variety day" [nice or twice a week. On these days bill was to be made up entirely short-reel pictures, such as the seEt product distributed by General, unit to be in attractiveness valent to a "feature" itself, sports so far received show that "variety day" plan is succeeding very part of the country where it been tried. One of the most enthusiastic responses comes from a leading picture house in the San Joaquin valley. California. A try-out of the plan having shown its patronage delighted with the change, this house booked at once eighteen reels a week to be used on two "variety days" each week. To do this the conventional five-reel feature had to be displaced. But this house is going even further: it wants four "variety days" instead of two. In ordering material for his initial two days, the owner states: "These are the only two days we have at present. We will have one or two more full days as soon as we can get rid of the 'big stuff.* Xo more expensire 'features' for yours truly — not unless it spells suicide." NEW THEATERS motion picture theater to be built at Second and Pacific avenues tor the Osran Amusement Company, has been let to E. J. Rounds of Seattle. Portsmouth, O. — The Portsmouth Construcon Company will break ground soon for the rection of a motion picture theater for George acobs, on Eleventh street, near Waller. Andrews, S. C. — Work has been started on the new opera house here on Main street. It will have a seating capacity of 300. Dallas, Tex. — Work will be begun on the ew Majestic motion picture theater about .Qgnst 1. Karl Hoblitzelle. head of the Intertate Amusement Company, announces. Xew Orleans, La. — The F. J. Townsend interests of Xew York have closed a contract for the erection of a new motion picture theater at Constantinople and Baronne streets. The theater will be known as the Fine Arts. Wichita. Kan. — Work on the Wichita Thea.T to be erected at 308-10 East Douglas avaoe has been started. The new picture house ill cost $75,000, it is said. Brooklyn. X. Y. — A. A. Klester of 211! anton avenue will erect an addition to his teater at Fulton and Crescent street, to cost 5,000. Ogden, Kan. — Steve Clark is erecting a new motion picture theater on Main street." Xewark, N. J. — A. W. Moore will erect a two-story building for offices and a motion picture theater at Mt. P^spect avenue and Heller parkway, to cost $50,000. Bremerton. Wash. — The contract for the new Annapolis Junction. Md. — Harry W. Webb. 131S Fidelity building, and associates are planning to erect a new motion picture theater here, with a seating capacity of 2.000. Dayton, O. — Messrs. Schenck & Williams have completed plans for the erection of a quarter-million dollar theater at Main street for the Dayton Theater company. Battle Creek, Mich — W. S. Butterfield and local associates have completed plans for the erection of two new theaters here. Washington, D. C. — The Rialto Theater management at Xinth and G streets. X. W.. has had Messrs. Blanke & Zink prepare plans for a new theater to be I0Q by 141 feet, with a seating capacity of 2,200. DAY NY0UR Howe ^CHANGES OF THE WEEK W. H. Dunbar of Montreal, Canada, has resigned as sales manager of the Art Dramas, to become associated with the Goldwyn's Canadian forces. His headquarters will be at \\ innipeg, Manitoba. Gail Kane is at work on "Unafraid," under the direction of Henry King, at the coast studios of the American Film Company. Lewis j. Codv has been engaged to appear opposite Miss Kane and Henry A. Barrows and James Farlev, newcomers, will appear in the cast. George H. Montgomery, formerly connected with the George K'.eine office. Chicago, has been placed in charge of the K-E-S-E branch office at Buffalo. Lou:s Green is the salesman. GOLDWYN SUES MABEL NORMAND IN CONTRACT ROW Concern Starts Fight to Make Star Keep Signature Pledge Goldwyn Pictures Corporation has gone to law to uphold the integrity of a contract entered into between a motion picture producing firm and one of its stars. Suit has been instituted by Goldwyn through Gabriel L. Hess, general counsel for and secretary of the company, and John B. Stanchfield, of Stanchrield & Levy, has been retained as attorney and as special counsel to obtain an injunction preventing Mabel Xormand. screen comedienne, from working for any othern concern or individual. MABEL XORMAXD Miss Xormand entered into a contract September 16, 1916, with Samuel Goldfish, whereby she was engaged to be starred in motion pictures under his management for a period of two years at a weekly salary of $1,000. Under this contract she Avas to act exclusively for Mr. Goldfish. Upon the formation of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation by Mr. Goldfish, Edgar Selwyn, Archibald Selwyn. Arthur Hopkins and their associates. Miss Xormand's contract was assigned to Goldwyn. Miss Xormand was scheduled to begin working for Goldwyn in its studios on May 1 and arrived in Xew York soon after that date, manifesting an immediate intention of not entering upon her contract. Her response to notifications as to the date of beginning work proving to be evasive, Goldwyn came into possession of information that Miss Xormand planned to work elsewhere and for other individuals.