Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Sep 1918)

C7\ N J? DWNWFI LM NEWS Western Theatre Company, L't'd., Joins Million Dollar Amalgamation New Northwestern Canada Concern to Be Known as United Theatres, Limited One of the largest deals ever put .through in Canadian theatrical circles was completed the first of June when an agreement was entered into whereby the Western Theatre Company, Limited, amalgamated their interests under a new million dollar corporation to be known ;is the United Theatres, Limited. The combination was not brought about through the desire of any of the parties in the deal to dominate the situation in northwestern Canada, but all agreed that conditions existing throughout the territory made it absolutely necessary for the big exhibitors to pool their interests in order to secure the best possible attractions for their various theatres. The officers of the new company are J. R. Muir, president; M . J. Barr, vicepresident; J. A. Schuberg, secretarytreasurer, and W. P. Dewees, general manager. Men of Experience Anyone who has followed their successful records in the theatre business in Western Canada for the past eighteen years will have little doubt as to the future success of this new and gigantic enterprise. Mr. Muir is one of the pioneer moving picture exhibitors of Vancouver, having started in the business when it was in its infancy, and through successful management has succeeded in advancing his interests to such an extent that at the present time he controls three of the most successful theatres in Western Canada, the Dominion Theatre Edmonton to Have New M. P. Theatre Costing $150,000 Temple Theatre Corp. Selects Site and Begins Work on Modern Structure 'I he Temple Theatre Corporation, consisting of Jule and J. J. Allen, with Ben Allen of Toronto, has decided to proceed with the erection of a modern moving picture theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, to cost $150,000. A long-term lease has been secured ©n a site on Jasper avenue, Edmonton Work was started last week, and it is proposed to open' the theatre in September. The capacity of the new house is 1,600 seats, and the plans follow the style of Roman amphitheatre. In other words, the theatre will have no balcony. of Vancouver, the Dominion of Victoria, and the Dominion of Namaino. Mr. Barr, who is one of the associates of Mr. Muir, has not been actively engaged in the moving picture business in the past, but is one of Vancouver's best known and most successful business men. being a member of the firm of Barr & Anderson, wholesale plumbers. . Mr. Schuberg's Interests Mr. Schuberg is one of the best known and most successful moving picture exhibitors in Western Canada, having in the city of Winnipeg alone, theatrical holdings which would aggregate well on to half a million dollars, besides being heavily interested in the Western Theatre enterprises of Vancouver. Taking into consideration the fact that these interests are practically allied at the present time, the new company has an additional strength when it comes to buying power, that it is believed will be impossible for any other such concern in Western Canada to equal. Mr. Dewees, the general manager, upon whom falls the responsibility of securing attractions for the various theatres, is one of the best posted film men in the Dominion, and his widespread connections in the film centres will assure this new company of the hearty support of all the film concerns, both in Canada and the United States. This combination will in no way affect the present arrangement under which the various theatres are working with First National Exhibitors Circuit .Limited of Canada. An order has been placed for an organ for the new house to cost $15,000. H. L. Gage, construction engineer of the Allen interests, has arrived in Edmonton to supervise the work. The general details will follow closely the structural arrangement of the new Allen theatre at Toronto. This will make the second theatre in Edmonton for the Aliens, as they own the Monarch Theatre, which is managed by H. M. Allen. The Aliens built their first theatre in the Canadian West at Cal gary about eight years ago. Thev now own or control upward of twenty theatres from Calgary to Montreal, Quebec. This firm is also building a line suburban theatre in Toronto, which will seat about 1,000 people. Incidentally, they control the Famous Players Film Service, Ltd., one of the largest film exchanges outside of the United States. With this exchange they hold the exclusive Canadian rights for Paramount and Artcraft releases. Law Won't Let Mechanical Dog Run Around Lobby An instance of the far-reaching effect of the special regulations entorced in Ontario by the Dominion Power Controller was seen when Manager Clarence Robson of the Strand Theatre, Toronto, desired to make use of a moving object in a special lobby display for Chaplin's "A Dog's Life." A back street scene was arranged, and it was intended to use a mechanical dog in the set. The theatre was forbidden to do so, because, it was ruled, electricity would be used for advertising purposes. According to the special regulations no current can be used for ornamental or advertising purposes on any theatre front or in any window, except on Saturday evenings. In this connection Manager Fegan of the Eclipse Theatre. Parliament street, has the laugh on the authorities, because he makes use of an arc rectifier in the lobby of his theatre. This gives an illumination that is attractive as well as effective. This has not been prohibited. Military Hospitals' Commission Films Shown in Toronto The Vermont Theatre, Toronto, has adopted the odd-cent admission price. Ceneral admission to this theatre i> now 11 cents, according to an announcement. Upward of a thousand prominent citizens of Canada and the United States, including an American Educational Mission, witnessed the first presentation of moving pictures showing the work of the Military Hospitals' Commission in Canada at Convocation Hall. Cniversity of Toronto, last Wednesday evening. Eight of twelve official reels, taken by the I'athescope of Canada, Ltd., under federal government direction, were shown. The views indicate the work that is being done in the rehabilitation of returned disabled warriors in Canada and shows the handling of the convalescent men from the time of their arrival at Halifax or elsewhere until they assume civilian responsibilities. Various views were taken in every large military centre of the Dominion, and the American educationists who are making a tour of the country gained many pointers on the subjects which they are investigating. The pictures are intended for various uses. They are to be shown to Canadian soldiers who are still in France and England as evidence as to what the Canadian government is doing for the disabled warrior.