Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Sep 1918)

R H R D fcll E X H I B Kansas City Censor Would Make Charge For Reviewing Films Kansas City, Mo. — Sidney J. Baker, the new film censor, went before the board of public welfare with several requests this week, depending on their recommendations to lay them before the mayor. He asked to be allowed to have an ordinance drawn up and introduced charging each film exchange 75 cents a reel for reviewing. This is considered ample to cover the $:;,0<>(> a year salary which Mr. P.aker is planning to ask the city to pay him and the salaries of two deputies to be empowered to act for him in reviewing less important pictures, as the eye strain incurred in reviewing pictures for several hours is serious, Mr. Raker says. Also, the money raised by this fee levy w ill cover the cost of operating the city's projection machines, the electricity used and the cost of carbons. r" No Charge Made The city now pays about :(8 cents a reel for reviewing films and no charge is made the film exchanges. An average •of thirty-five reels a day, or 200 a week, are reviewed. The Kansas State censorship board charges $2 a reel for reviewing and Chicago charges $1 a reel, it was pointed out. The board of public welfare commended Mr. Baker's move as one calculated to make the department self-supporting. Although the selection of a film censor rests entirely with the mayor, the welfare board pays his salary and furnishes him a deputy or assistant to operate the projection machine. Archie Gould, an investigator of the board, now occupies this position. New Rulings Sought After Mr. Baker had received the recommendation of the board to his finance plan he announced that the producers of the motion pictures, "Thais" and "The Auction Block," which were rejected by Fred F. McClure, former censor, and the appeal board and their judgment upheld by the county courts and the city counselor, have asked for another review by Mr. Baker. Former City Counselor Harzfeld held that such a picture turned down by the appeal board could not be brought back for review, save by the consent of the chairman of the appeal board. The board of public welfare refused to act in the matter and suggested that Mr. Baker take the matter up with A. F. Smith, city counselor. Exhibitor's Briefs San Francisco, Cal. — The permit granted the Geographical Feature Film Company to sell stock has been revoked by the State Corporation Department. Springfield, Ohio — Thoroughly remodeled and redecorated, the Victory Theatre, purchased sometime ago by John Gregory from Ed C. Helman, has again thrown open its doors to the motion picture public of this city. Mr. Gregory has changed the name of the house to the Liberty and announces that only the besl pictures will be shown. Alexandria. La. — The Beauregard Amusement Company, Inc.. has been incorporated by Milton De Roos, Mick Manteris. Steve Manteris and Henry F. ffibshmaii with a capital stock of $7, .ion. Chicago. 111. -The Crown Theatre, at Crawford avenue and West Twenty-sixth street, this city, was recently the scene of a benefit for the purpose of equipping the home guards of Unit No. 41<>, 1. V. T. corps. The management donated the theatre to the committee for this purpose. Dayton, Ohio — John Seifert, of the Ideal Theatre on Fourth street, this city, has announced that no admission will be charged the boys in the uniform of Cnck Sam. Mr Seifert hopes that this will become a national affair. Peoria, 111. — The Princess Theatre was damaged by fire of an unknown origin recently. The loss is estimated at $9,000. New York. N. Y. — Max Blitzen of Manhattan will erect a motion picture theatre at Surf avenue and Thirty-first street. Coney Island, at a cost of $45,000. Camp Point, 111. — The motion picture theatre of this city has been sold by Ralph Warren to Charles Huber. Hartford. Conn. — The property at 1225 Main street, this city, owned by the Star Theatre Company, has been deeded to Rocco Martoccio and Antonio Donato Eula. Cincinnati, Ohio — General contracts have been awarded the M. Marcus Building Company by the Longacre Construction Company for the erection of the superstructure of the Palace Theatre costing $100,000. Philadelphia, Pa. — Milton Rogasner has purchased from Ellen Reed, the motion picture theatre at 3142 Kensington avenue, this city. There is a mortgage of $68,375 on the property. Columbia. S. C. — Rawl Brothers, owners of the Pastime Theatre of this city, have leased the Opera House. Manhattan. N. Y. — Articles of incorporation have been filed for the Lexington Theatre Corporation with a capital stock of $50,000. F. T. Kelsey, H. A. Mumma and C. C. Pearce are the incorporators. Petaluma. Cal. — E. B. Deaken and Clyde Van Deveene, at present operating the M. and M. Theatre in Healdshcrg. are contemplating the erection of a $40,000 motion picture theatre in this city. Plaquemine, La. — The Liberty Theatre. Inc., has been incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000, Victor J. Kurzweg is president of the concern. Hartford, Ark. — C. Hall, owner of the Yale Theatre, this city, announces that he will build an addition to the theatre, increasing its seating capacity. Lexington, Miss. — Earle M. Hooke has taken over a building and will remodel it for a motion picture theatre. Beaumont, Tex. — Plans are in preparation for a motion picture theatre to he 56 erected in this city at a cost of $40,000. The Cordon Estate will be the projector <>f the enterprise. High Point, N. C. — Fire destroyed the Broadway Theatre, owned by D. Rones, to the extent of $.".,000. Lanestore, la. — A motion picture theatre will be opened to the public of this city shortly. Fontanelle, la. — The Star Theatre of this city has been purchased by Arthur Coleman. Pella, la.— G. M. Hoffman, of Ames, has assumed the management of the Elite Theatre of this city. Keville, la. — The motion picture theatre of this city, under the management ot D. W. Davis and T. L. Bell, will be opened for business shortly. Ray. N. D. — The Auditorium Theatre of this city has been purchased by H. M. I 'aulson. (irand Island, Neb. — The Majestic Theatre of this city has been completely overhauled and modernized. Louisville, Neb.— The motion picture theatre of this city, Frank Johnson, owner, will be enlarged. Xeenah, Wis. — A picture of the kaiser, used by a local exhibitor for advertising a propaganda film, became the butt of an angry mob, who hurled mud at the poster. The enthused exhibitor joined the crowd in the demonstration. U. P. T. Advisory Board To Attend Convention Plans are being completed to assemble the Advisory Board of United Picture Theatres of America. Inc.. during the convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America in Boston next month, it is said. As this Advisory Board is composed exclusively of exhibitors, each prominent in his respective territory, it is reasonably certain, it is said, that all will be in attendance at the annual convention. By the time the exhibitors convene it is also expected that representatives of the Pacific Coast districts and other localities that are not at present represented in the make-up of the Board, will have been appointed by President Berst. Select's Buffalo Manager Receives Handsome Gift The sales force and employes of Select's Buffalo Exchange surprised their retiring manager. Charles R. Rogers, on Saturday, June 1, when they presented him with a strikingly handsome sevenpiece desk set. The articles in the set are made of solid bronze, with decorative medallions in relief. The occasion was in the nature of a double celebration. 'The gift was a token of appreciation to Mr. Rogers from his office force at the moment when he was leaving to assume charge of another branch, and also marked the conclusion of Rogers' first year in the Buffalo exchange.