Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

X H I B R H R D Rocky Mt. Exhibitors Pass Resolution Precision Company Protesting 15 Cents a Reel War Tax Enlarges Quarters to Handle Increase Document Is Signed by Twenty-four Members of Colorado Exhibitors' League — Action Taken at Denver Feeling that the footage tax as passed on to exhibitors is unwarranted, the Colorado Exhibitors' League has framed and adopted a resolution concerning the 15 cents per reel tax, which leaves no doubt as to their standing in the matter. The resolution, which is addressed to Branch Exchange, Managers of Denver and Film Manufacturers, reads as follows: "Whereas, the film producers have seen fit to charge the exhibitors fifteen cents (15c) per reel tax originally assessed to the producing concerns. Such tax will work to a profit to the producer, is assessed impracticable, not being in proportion to film rental, thereby discriminating against the small exhibitor, and such charge, according to advice from the Internal Revenue Department, is not applicable to service released prior to the date of the tax law, and with full consideration to the price of film rental being as high as can be stood; "Resolved, We the exhibitors of the Rocky Mountain region, assembled in convention, do hereby protest against and refuse to pay the so-called war tax of fifteen cents (15c) per reel assessed against the exhibitors." The following members of the Colorado Exhibitors' League signed the protest: H. E. Huffman. Bid-a-Wee Theatre; D. L. Lehrburger, Mascot Theatre; H. E. Ellison, Princess and Rialto Theatres; R. T. Veneman, Libertv Theatre; F. B. Culp, Rex Theatre; G. B. Hover, Alcott Theatre; P. C. Curtis. Electric Theatre; John Thompson, Thompson Theatre; H. A. Goodridge. Ogden Theatre; Chas. Williams, Fun Theatre; C. E. Marquard. Isis Theatre, Longmont. Colo.; H. L. Izlar, Mystic Theatre; W. P. Johnson, Lux Theatre: Rex & Sterling, Greeley, Colo.; Majestic Theatre, Grand Junction; Gerald Moore. Ivy Theatre: Mrs. Cramer, Grand Theatre; Brown & Megahan, Strand Theatre; Alva Talbott. America Theatre; A. H. Haagen, Iris Theatre; H. T. Nolan, Grand Theatre, Pueblo, Colo.; Geo. Greaves, Atlas 't heatre, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Princess Theatre, Colorado Sptings, Colo.; Princess Theatre, Pueblo, Colo.; S. N. Baldwin, Ozz Theatre: B. Kitzmiller, Gem Theatre. The additional space secured sometime ago by the Precision Machine Company, New York, for its various departments, has been found to be inadequate. Plans and work are now under way to meet the needs of a demand for increased production. Work has also been started on plans for new offices and salesrooms. The work is being done under the supervision of the Precision Machine Company's own departmental heads. Brenon Completes "Empty Pockets" Film Starts "Passing of Third Floor Back" Final Scenes of Hughes' Story Taken on Connecticut Coast Changes Necessary in Jerome's Drama for Screen Version Herbert Brenon has completed his production of Rupert Hughes' romance, "Empty Pockets," and started "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," in which Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson will appear in the role of the stranger. In its screen form "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" will undergo certain changes necessary to give variety of background and to work out the development of the characters. In the stage version of Jerome K. Jerome's drama, the action centered in the living room of a shabby London boarding house. The spoken dialogue made it possible to show the individual shading of character of the various characters with a single room. The motion picture adaptation, on the other hand, will necessarily reveal the different rooms of the lodgers. Three whole floors of the boarding house have been constructed at the studio, including seventeen different rooms, halls and stairways. These range from the slavey's garret corner to the third floor back abode, to which the passerby is relegated by the mercenary landlady, Mrs. Sharp. The final scenes of the completed film, "Empty Pockets," were taken off the Connecticut estate of Commodore Benedict on Long Island Sound. A number were taken on board Commodore Benedict's yacht, the Adalante. Mr. Brenon also filmed the automobile kidnapping and pursuit, which is a big part of "Empty Pockets." The cast of this production includes Bert Lytell, Malcolm Williams, Barbara Castleton, Susan Willa, Mile. Katherine Galanta, Peggy Betts, Jane Fernley and other well known players. Mile. Galanta will be recalled for her work in "The Fall of the Romanoffs." The distribution rights to "Empty Pockets" have been secured by the First National Exhibitors' Circuit and the publication date will be announced later' "The Passing of the Third Floor Back' will be shown to the public about the first of the new vear. THREE SCENES FROM HERBERT BRENON'S "EMPTY POCKETS" FILM LEFT— KETTY GALENTA AND MALCOLM WILLIAMS IN A SCENE FROM "EMPTY POCKETS." CENTER — BARBARA CASTLETON AN BERT LYTELL. RIGHT— BERT LYTELL AS THE DOCTOR. (Herbert brenon.) 18