Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Sep 1918)

CTINADIAN^WFILM NEWS' Ontario M. P. E. P. A. Warns Against Long-Term Contracts President Bailie Urges Exhibitors to Reserve the Right of Cancellation — Small Exchanges Suffer President A. Bailie of the Moving Picture Exhibitors' Protective Association of Ontario, has issued a formal warning to all exhibitors of Ontario and has solicited the interest of exhibitors in other Provinces of the Dominion regarding the signing of long term contracts with exchange companies without the inclusion of a thirty-day cancellation privilege. A number of Canadian film distributors have just made their formal announcements for the coming twelve months and exhibitors have been generally invited to sign up for solid service throughout the coming year, special rates being offered for continuous service in some instances. President Bailie has launched an attack against the practice of signing long contracts, without reserving the right of cancellation after due notice. Bailie declares that the exhibitors, in so doing, are helping to hurt themselves in the long run as they are making it impossible for the smaller exchanges to remain in business. With the passing of the small or independent exchanges, Bailie declares that the several large companies will be able -4o arrange matters to suit themselves. Takes Strong Stand Bailie has taken a strong stand in the Aliens to Distribute Goldwyn Productions Throughout Canada J. J. and Jule Allen have signed a contract with President Samuel Goldfish, of Goldwyn, whereby they will distribute the Goldwyn product in Canada for several years. The Aliens are the leading distributing factors in Canada, and are also the owners of the biggest chain of theatres in the Dominion. They own and operate the Allen Theatre, Toronto, the cornerstone of their theatre interests, and theatres in Montreal, Quebec, Calgary, Moose Jaw, Brandon, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Regina. Distributing offices are maintained in Toronto, Montreal, St. John, N. B., Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver, B. C, the operating companies being the Monarch Film Company. Ltd., and the Famous Players Film Service. Ltd. "I feel that the contract I have negotiated with the Aliens is the most important ever made by Goldwin beyond the borders of the United States," said President Goldfish of Goldwyn in commenting on the deal. "Goldwyn Star Series productions will matter. He has authorized the sending out of an official letter from the Ontario association headquarters in Toronto to all exhibitors in Ontario regarding the matter and has advised the exhibitor associations of other Provinces regarding the stand he has taken. This is practically the first occasion that the Ontario organization has sought the help and influence of other exhibitor associations in the Dominion. President Bailie has also taken a determined stand against the indiscriminate presentation of slides and trailers for charity, patriotic and other general organizations. Bailie wants some regulation of the matter and proposes to have all special slides or trailers reviewed at the office of the Ontario association before they are screened in a theatre. The President states that ?on-e of these slides are not fit for presentation and do neither the theatre or the cause any gocd. Tom Scott, the new secretary of the Ontario association, has opened an office in the club quarters of the organization, at 137 Yonge Street, Toronto. Scott has uecome more than a secretary of the or ganization. He is now carded as a manager and his work will include the sale of war tax tickets and possibly the handling of a number of film attractions for which members of the body are handling on a syndicate basis. be widely advertised and exploited both before and after our first Fall release in Canada, and as a result of this Canadian exhibitors will find that the boxoffice value of our pictures will be greatly intensified. "Another matter of importance to Canadian exhibitors is that our Star Series productions will be received by the Messrs. Allen in their various offices from one to two months in advance of publication to enable them to hold special showings." Metro Exchanges Close And Become Regal Films Alth ough Regal Films, Limited, absorbed the Canadian releasing rights for Metro pictures several months ago, it was only a few days ago that the Regal company openly advertised the fact. This was in connection with the company's announcement regarding plans and policies for the coming year. Simultaneously with this announcement, the several Metro exchanges in the Dominion were closed and the films, paper and furniture were removed to Regal branches in the respective cities. "Hearts of World" Opens Month's Run At Allen/Theatre Griffith's "Hearts of the World" enjoyed a big publicity campaign before it opened for the first time in Canada at the Allen Theatre, Toronto, under the direction of Jules and J. J. Allen. The Toronto newspapers became enthused with the spirit of the feature and devoted columns of space each day to advance notices. Never before has the conservative Toronto press cut loose with publicity for any attractions as was the case with "Hearts of the World." ft has been arranged to present the Griffith special at the Allen Theatre for four solid weeks after which it is to go into Massey Hall, the largest local auditorium for the next two weeks after the Allen Theatre run. This second run is to be conducted during the annual Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto when thousands of out-of-town visitors will be in the city. Northwest Filmmen Prosecute Exhibitors "Bicycling" Pictures Several exhibitors of Portland, Ore., have been caught "bicycling" film, and action has been taken by the Northwest Film Board of Trade to force payment for film thus illegally used, and to obtain good assurance that such a practice will not be indulged in again. President J. A. Koerpel of the Film Board of Trade declares that exhibitors doing this generally work a hardship on the honest exhibitor, because the film man has to protect himself against the possible dishonest customer. The organization is going to prosecute the man who is guilty of the practice, for the benefit of the honest exhibitor as well as the film exchange men. UNIVERSALE PLANS 1918-19 ANNOUNCED President Clair Hague of the Canadian Universal Film Company. Limited, has made announcement of plans and program for 191S-1919 throughout the I )ominion. According to present arrangements the Canadian Universal will release through regular channels exactly 370 subjects, not including five serials. Mr. Hague will shortly publish "Boy Scouts to the Rescue" in Ontario. The Holman Theatre, Montreal, has first run of this series in the Quebec territory. The Canadian Universal headquarters are in Toronto but branches are situated in five other Canadian centres, St. John, N. B., Montreal, Que., Winnepeg, Man.. Calgary. Alberta, and Vancouver, B. C. Co