Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

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ir 4 E X H B R H R D Knickerbocker House at Capital Opens With Distinguished Crowd "Betsy Ross" World Feature Starring Alice Brady Is Initial Offering in Elaborate Theatre; U. S. Officials, Diplomats and Stars Attend Washington, D. C. — (Special to "Exhibitors Herald") — The new Knickerbocker Theatre, said to be the most modern in playhouse construction, was opened here recently with a most distinguished audience, including Government officials, army and navy officers diplomats and men prominent in business life. The opening was in the nature of a social event long to be remembered. Guests representing many of the motion picture companies and well-known film stars were also present through Col. Barry Bulkley's invitation. Among the guests were Rose Tapley, Francis X. Bushman, Beverly Bayne, Alice Brady, Carlyle Blackwell, Kitty Gordon, June Elvidge and Wm. A. Brady, director-general of World. The initial film offering was "Betsy Ross," in which Alice Brady played the title role. A dinner was tendered the guests of the evening by the board of directors of the Knickerbocker Theatre Company, immediately after the performance, on the promenade floor, at which Colonel Bulkley presided. The Knickerbocker is believed to be one of the most artistic and elegant theatre structures in the capital and is described as America's most exclusive photoplay theatre. It reflects refinement and taste in its superb construction and appointments, far in advance of the present era of innovations in photoplay theatre construction. The Knickerbocker . theatre is largely the conception ©f Col. Barry Bulkley, capitalist and educator, who is noted for his advanced artistic ideas displayed in several big projects. The new photoplay house will be under the management of Harry M. Crandall, Fred S. Swindell and George T. Smallwood, who are associated with Colonel Bulkley in the enterprise. Mr. Crandall is a well-known motion picture man, controlling several houses, while Mr. Swindell is attorney for the Commercial National Bank here, and Mr. Smallwood is a capitalist. The theatre is located at Eighteenth street and Columbia Road, in the most fashionable residential district, and is destined to play a prominent part in the social activities of the city, not only as a picture theatre but also for afternoon concerts and lectures. The construction and equipment of the Knickerbocker cost $150,000, and the theatre site cost $60,000. The structure is four stories high, of reinforced concrete and steel. The front is stone trimmed brick with a marquise over the main entrance. The foyer covers practically the entire Eighteenth street side of the building, and there are exits on Columbia Road and Eighteenth street. It has a seating capacity of 1,800. An orchestra of fifteen selected musicians provides music for the pictures and also gives fifteen-minute concerts before each performance. Honolulu Soon to Attract Producers, Says Van Loan, There Filming Peter Pan Play Calls Island Ideal Spot for Picture Making and Predicts Construction of Studios. Company Taking Scenes for "The Honeymooners" Serial That Honolulu soon will attract motion picture producers and result in the construction of studios, is the opinion of H. H. Van Loan, who is in charge of an expedition sent to Hawaii by the Peter Pan Film Corporation, of New York, to make a scenic serial, which will necessitate a trip around the world, which will require two years. The film will be published under the title of "The Honeymooners." "I believe that Honolulu is an ideal spot for the motion picture producer," Mr. Van Loan declares in an interview in the Honolulu Advertiser. "It cannot be surpassed for natural beauty, which is a very important part of picture making, especially where most of the action calls for exterior scenes. You have on this island all that is needed to make a picture beautiful, and I do not think that the glories of Southern California can be compared with what nature has to offer us here. "I think I am correct when I say that the Peter Pan Film Corporation is the first company to send a party here for a prolonged stay, having as its object a complete set of pictures of the habits, customs, sports, industries and beauties of the Hawaiian islands. Mr. William Aldrich, who is the director, and in charge of the production end of the work, has succeeded in obtaining some excellent pictures during his stay here. He is grateful for the many courtesies which have been shown him by the various city departments and the public in general. Interesting Features Filmed "He has taken pictures of the Polo Team, the Regatta, a police inspection, which the Chief of Police held especially for him to photograph; the surf riders, some of the beautiful homes of Honoluluans, the pineapple plantations, the Pali, the Punch Bowl and numerous other places of interest in and about the city and island. In addition to these he has an excellent and spirited scene of a battle with a shark, which was caught about fifteen miles off Honolulu, and, which I think will prove one of the best, if not the most interesting fight scenes with a big man-eater ever shown on the screen. The shark fought for nearly an hour, right before the lens of the camera, and though he was caught at noon, he was still battling, five hours later when they towed him into Young's Wharf. He measured eighteen feet, and weighed about eight hundred pounds. "The pictures Mr. Aldrich secured of the surf riders are absolutely the best ever photographed by a motion picture camera. The average cameraman is not daring enough to strip himself, go out in an out-rigger and face the big seas as they break over the beach, and the result is that other cameramen have been satisfied to photograph what they could within a safe distance of the shore. But Mr. Aldrich went out and caught the riders as they were coming in, and those who have seen the pictures declare they are the best ever taken at Waikiki. Gertrude Cameron Stars "In our party is Gertrude Cameron, who appeared with Crane Wilbur as his leading lady during the time he was with Pathe Freres, and was later starred with the Universal company. She plays the lead in the series, which will start here, and be published under the title of "The Honeymooners." Peggy Aldrich, who is also well known as a film actress, and has appeared in many big productions, is also a member of the company. "We expect to remain here about four weeks more, and during that time will take pictures of the volcano and other interesting scenes. Mr. Aldrich intends to make a double exposure of the volcano, something which has never been done before by a cameraman. And those who happen to visit the Strand Theatre in New York at some future date, will see this wonderful picture ol this great crater, with double exposure and all its natural tints. "From here we will go to the Fai East, our first stop being Yokohoma where we will spend some time repro ducing the beauties of Japan, which a forever interesting and entertaining Americans." RELIEF FOR EXHIBITOR SEEN IN A. E. A. MEETS WITH MUSIC PUBLISHER Representatives of the American Ex hibitors' Association and the Author and Publishers' Association have ha several important meetings recently re ative to the music tax, as applied to mc tion picture theaters. At present th outlook for the exhibitors is very sati factory and it looks as if the publishei will concede certain points. Charles C. Pettijohn, general manag< of the American Exhibitors' Associatio in discussing this problem said: "The result of our conferences wil the publishers over the music tax w soon bear fruit. They are ready make some concessions, but we are e deavoring to protect the small exhibitc who is already harassed by so mai troubles that the load he is carrying h reached the breaking point. When tr question has finally been settled a nouncement will be made from the c fices of the A. E. A." 44