Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1918)

IZXHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Harold Edel Dies In New York City; Pneumonia Victim LATE MANAGING-DIRECTOR AND HIS THEATRE Popular Manager of Strand Theatre 111 But One Week New York lost one of its most popular theatre men in the death of Harold Edel on Saturday. Mr. Edel succumbed to an attack of pneumonia following an illness of one week. Though but twenty-nine years of age, Harold Edel stood in the front rank of American exhibitors and during the short time that he conducted the Strand Theatre on Broadway, New York, he introduced many innovations that marked him as a most active, energetic and progressive theatreman. He was also very popular with his colleagues of the legitimate theatres and was a hail fellow well met wherever he chanced to be. Came from Buffalo Mr. Edel came to New York from Buffalo about two years ago and took charge of the Strand theatre under the direction of Mitchell H. Mark. For years he had been associated with Mr. Mark as manager of several penny arcades in Buffalo and later was made manager of the Hippodrome theatre, Cleveland. In the capacity of Canadian manager, he later toured the country from coast to coast through the Dominion in the interests of the Kinemacolor Company. So successful was he in this venture that he was given the post of business manager for Mark Block Enterprises, Buffalo, and subsequently became managing-director of the Strand theatre, Buffalo, from which point he was transferred to New York, to look after the destinies of the popular Broadway picture house at 47th street. Mr. Edel was undoubtedly one of the most popular managers in the country. Of a cheerful disposition, he radiated the spirit of good fellowship. This was reflected in his working staff even down to the most humble. He is survived by his wife, Frances Edel, and one son, Harold Jr. Funeral services were held from his late home in West Eighty-first street, New York, on Tuesday. William A. Brady Film To Have Its Premiere By an arrangement effected between the late Harold Edel of the Strand Theatre, New York, and William A. Bradv, Mr. Brady's picturizPtion of "Little Women" will be presented for the first time at the Strand the week beginning Sunday, November 10. S. L. Rothapfel Books "Safe for Democracy' "Safe for Democracy," the second of the new series of superfeatures produced by J. Stuart Blackton, has been booked by Samuel L. Rothapfel as the feature of his program at the Rivoli Theatre, New York, for the week beginning Sunday, November 3. HAROLD EDEL, WHO DIED IN NEW YORK CITY, NOVEMBER 2, AT THE AGE OF 29, AND STRAND THEATRE HE CONDUCTED SUCCESSFULLY FOR OVER TWO YEARS. Influenza Invades West; Vitagraph Studios Suffer Several prominent Vitagraphers were touched by the influenza last week, but in very mild form, and all are now recovered. Edith Johnson, leading woman for William Duncan in the Vitagraph serial, "A Fight for Millions," and now working in the same capacity in "The Man of Might," was the first one to be taken sick. She was ill for several days. Paul Hurst, who directed "The Woman in the Web" serial and has been directing Antonio Moreno and Carol Holloway in "The Iron Test." felt a sudden illness, so drove to a Los Angeles hospital, where it developed he had Spanish influenza. He remained in the hospital several days, but the disease did not get a real hold on him. and he is now back at the studio. R. H. McCray, of the technical department at the Vitagraph plant, was another "!ctim of the influenza, but he, too, has recovered. Actor Killed in France The first man in the Los Angeles film colony to die in action, according to the casualty reports, is Sergeant Lawrence R. Peyton. Sergeant Peyton made his big success in the role of Joan of Arc's brother in Cecil B. De Mille's production, "Joan the Woman." •tliiuii imiMii < intn i rr !■ Statement of Leading Film Organizations Explaining Extension of Inactive Period The decision of the leading producers and distributors to extend the production shut-down one week, as told on the foregoing page, was made public in the following statement : The undersigned producers and distributors have carefully canvassed the situation in every territory. Full consideration has been given to exhibitors' needs everywhere. With the reopening of the majority of the motion picture theatres of the United States and Canada expected by November 16, regular releasing will be resumed on Sunday, November 17. We feel that the suspension of releasing during a period of emergency has had a healthful effect upon all branches of the industry. The exhibitors of the country have worked with us in splendid unity during this period and have solidified an industry that will attain its greatest expansion and benefits through still closer co-operation of the elements that are necessary to each other. AFFILIATED DISTRIBUTORS, INC., EDGAR LEWIS PRODUCTIONS, ESSANAY COMPANY, FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORPORATION, FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITORS CIRCUIT, FOX FILM CORPORATION, GENERAL FILM COMPANY, GOLDWYN DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION, INTERNATIONAL FILM SERVICE, INC., IVAN FILM PRODUCTIONS, INC., KALEM COMPANY, METRO PICTURES CORPORATION, MUTUAL FILM CORPORATION, PATHE EXCHANGE, INC., SELECT PICTURES CORPORATION, TRIANGLE CORPORATION, UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. CO., WM. A. BRADY PICTURE PLAYS CO., INC., WILLIAM L. SHERRY SERVICE, WORLD FILM CORPORATION, W. W. HODKINSON CORPORATION, VITAGRAPH COMPANY AMERICA. 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