Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1918)

EXHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Big Boston House Sold ji.i.-. n-.. IIMHHI'H.ll.ill'lllii Ill tXIIttllllt Ill BOSTON, MASS.— The Allston Theatre, 128 Brighton avenue, Allston, has been sold to the Allston Amusement Company. The theatre is considered one of the most up-to-date houses in Greater Boston. It has a seating capacity of 1,200 and was erected at a cost of $125,000. Stanley Sumner will be the manager. Exhibitor Briefs Spokane, Wash. — J. William Houck, formerly field representative in the northwest of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, has become manager of the Liberty Theatre, succeeding Sam. W. B. Cohn, resigned. Kansas City, Mo. — The Victory Theatre will be the name by which the new house at 105 East Twelfth street henceforth will be known. A. Josephson, who took over the management on the day the armistice was signed with Germany, chose the name in honor of the Allies' great success. Los Angeles, Cal. — The Laughlin Theatre, the largest at Long Beach, has been taken over by the Broadway Theatre Company, which has successfully operated the Superba Theatre here for the past two years. Mathew Bridge, who has been manager of the Superba, will be managing director of the Laughlin, which is to be known as the Playhouse Palatial. Carlinville, 111. — Harry C. Daley and John M. Devitt, proprietors of the Landale Theatre, are planning to remodel a vacant wool house into a theatre now that the government has removed the ban on building operations. The new house will seat 650. Fowler, Ind. — J. A. Garing of Earl Park has purchased the Dreamland Theatre here. Marie Agnew has been retained as manager. Scranton. Pa. — The Showhouse, 1515 Jackson street, was the scene of a fire when a film exploded in the projection room. No serious damage was done. John Yanoshat of North Scranton is the owner. SUN THEATRE. OMAHA Managed by Samuel Goldberg. Kansas City News By Jack H. Roth Plans for the organization of the theatrical industry in Kansas City are going ahead at full speed. A meeting of the committee in charge was held Sunday. November 17, and was attended byCharles Harden, Frank Newman, George Curtis, Jack Storey, Lee Balsley and J. B. Fitzpatrick. The following resolutions were passed: "That the purpose is to educate public sentiment, protect our common interests from adverse criticism, unjust legislation, labor trouble, and any movement that means a detriment to our industry. "That a president, vice-president and secretarybe elected in addition to a board of directors made up of representatives of the different branches to guide and direct the affairs of the Amusement Managers' Protective Association of Greater Kansas City. "That a business manager of special qualifications be employed, devoting his entire time looking after the business of the Amusement Managers, to be guided by the executive board. "That the amusement industry, as a business essential and legitimate, is entitled to every consideration given any commercial, industrial or business line. Among evils that constantly confront us are epidemics, labor troubles and individual criticism, which often leads to unjust and damaging activity. "To that end, we recommend that immediate action be taken, opening membership to bona fide owners or managers of the legitimate, vaudeville, burlesque and motion picture theatres, film exchanges, accessory and motion picture machine firms, slides and ad film manufacturers, and amusement publishers or reporters, at $5 per initiation; dues to be decided by the executive board. "Permanent by-laws and constitution to be adopted and compiled by the executive board immediately after the election." Milton H. Feld, who was manager of the Universal Film Company, in Kansas City, before leaving for Camp Pike as one of Uncle Sam's doughboys, has returned to his old position. Mr. Douglas, who had temporary charge, will be his assistant. Welcome back, Milton. Jack Storey of Pathe is looking for larger quarters; the present office being too small. Mr. Storey has tendered his resignation to the Chamber of Commerce, due to the manner in which that body handled the recent influenza epidemic. In tendering his resignation, Mr. Storey said: "Every person connected with the amusement industry of Kansas City feels that no steam roller ever rolled more perfectly than the one at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, which they were invited to attend. Every member feels that they were very unjustly treated in this matter, not only by this board, but especially by the newspaper comments regarding the picture shows. "The closing down of practically any line of business, regardless of whether it is manufacturing, retailing, or amusement in a community for six weeks without giving the men who have invested their all in this certain line of business at least a courteous hearing is a very serious problem. While undoubtedly certain members of the Chamber of Commerce felt that they were serving the best interests of all concerned, yet in view of the manner in which this matter was handled, I beg leave to tender by resignation to your honorable board." P. C. Wreath has been appointed manager of the Kansas City office of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation A. M. Eisner, recently with the Sherry Service, is now managing the Doric Theatre. 40 Dayton and Vicinity By Henry C. Mortimer The big Griffith war film, "Hearts of the World," will lengthen its stay in Dayton for five more days, according to Fred Meeks, manager of the road show playing at Memorial Hall. The picture opened Sunday, November 17, for one week, and the success of the latter part of the engagement brought the additional five days extension. The week of November 25 was known as Metro week at the Dayton Theatre in Dayton, that company's attractions holding the boards for the seven days exclusively. Nazimova opened Sunday for four days in "Toys of Fate.'' Starting Thursday the late Harold Lockwood, in "Pals First," played for three days. "Shoulder Arms," the latest Chaplin film, opened strong at the Strand Theatre, Dayton, Sunday. November 25. The Chaplin picture with the other two reels of the show was put through in about fifty-five minutes, thus turning out the crowd about every hour. The house had a standing line all day and it is said that the attendance record for all time was shattered. Chaplin is usually good for two repeats in Dayton. Twin City Events By H. L. Muir Dan Essling, former owner and manager of the Universal Theatre in Minneapolis, has purchased the Gopher Theatre on 17th street and 4th avenue South. Mr. Essling is one of the oldest showmen in the territory. For years he was located at Cloquet. Minn., and operated a very successful theatre. Later he purchased the Universal in Minneapolis. The exhibitors of Minneapolis and St. Paul took advantage of the opportunity afforded them by the closing order to remodel and redecorate their theatres. Patrons were pleasantly surprised upon their return. The influenza ban was raised in Minneapolis Frida\r, November 15, after a closed period of five weeks. All exchange men and theatre managers met in a joint meeting before the City Council Friday at 11 o'clock. At 11:30, Dr. Guilford, the city health commissioner, raised the ban after a council vote and the Strand Theatre of Minneapolis was running its show six minutes after the ban had been lifted. Other down-town theatres followed suit and by the middle of the afternoon the Minneapolis amusement center took on its natural appearance. All theatres report exceptional business since opening. Conditions in the state are slowly improving, with the exception of the northern portion, which was swept by the forest fire