Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Capture Thief After Downtown Theatre Is Robbed at Cleveland CLEVELAND, OHIO— One man was shot and fatally wounded when two armed thugs held up the Strand theatre in Cleveland and robbed the cashier of the receipts — $99.23. After an exciting chase through the downtown streets one robber was captured. The robbery occurred March 1 at the supper hour. The Strand is located at East Ninth and Prospect avenues in the downtown section and the streets were black with people. Several who saw the robbery pursued the crooks, who fired at the pursuers, hitting Charles Meyers in the abdomen. The chase extended five blocks until one of the robbers, James Marco, 19, ran into an apartment house and took refuge in a room. Policeman Herman Berhendt followed and captured him. Cleveland has for several months been experiencing a wave of crime, btit this was the first time a large theatre had been robbed. Previously the American and National theatres, small houses, were broken into at night. Managers were taking unusual precautions when the ticket booths contained large amounts of money, but they had no idea that a robbery would be attempted at the supper hour. * * * Claude Marcus, son of Max Marcus, owner of the U. S. Theatre. Cleveland, died at Camo Taylor, Ky., of pneumonia last week. Before joining the army he was engaged with his father in the management of the theatre. He had a host of friends who were shocked to hear of his death. * * * The Sundav opening law. sponsored by the Ohio State Screen League, which is planned to legalize Sunday motion picture performances, is making good progress since it was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. The bill was referred to the cities committee, which body will make a report which will decide whether it will be voted on or not by March 15. The committee held hearings on the bill the week of March 2. at which Fred Desberg and Henry Lustig, Cleveland attorneys and theatre owners, argued its merits. * * * Winslow Pope of the Plaza theatre, Sanduskv. Ohio, has severed his connections with the Schade theatre interests there and is now connected with the Star theatre as its publicity man. Mr. Pope has been manager of the Plaza for nearly two years and had charge of the Lyceum since last September. Associates of Mr. Pone nlan to build a large new theatre in Sandusky soon. * * * Ed Cohn, Cleveland film man, has purchased the Lincoln theatre on the west side. Ed savs everybody is giviner bim the laugh, but he will show them iust like he did with two or three o'ther houses he bought. Frank Greenwald. his partner, also in the business of setting juice out of lemons, savs he is looking for another like the Troy, which he bought a month ago. Houdini makes another escape. An episode from "The Master Mystery" serial produced for Octagon Films, Inc. Des Moines Letter DES MOINES, IOWA— Ottumwa is to have a new picture house to be opened May 1, owned by Morris Lince. The building is being remodeled at a cost of $40,000 and will have a seating capacity of 700. It is planned to have a symphony orchestra. Morris Lince has sold the Princess theatre at Ottumwa to D. Baker, formerly owner of the Rex, who will remodel the building and put it in first class condition. District Manager S. J. Goldman of Universal spent the week in Des Moines boosting the new serial, "The Red Glove." Jack Cohen, formerly road man for Pathe in Iowa, who has completed his service in the army, is covering the northern part of the state for Universal. Manager Day of the Palace advertised "The Eleventh Commandment" by suspending over the sidewalk a painting of a lar'ge bible with these words across the page, "Ladies, do you know what is the eleventh commandment?" Paul H. Tessier is the new manager of the Pathe exchange at Des Moines. He was formerly assistant manager for Pathe at Cleveland. L. A. Sheridan, formerly manager of Pathe at Des Moines, has accepted the management of a rug cleaning compound company. M. J. Frish, manager of the Universal office here, has returned from a sales meeting at Chicago. Texas Exhibitor Moves C. G. Frame has disposed of the Pastime Theatre at Miami, Texas, and purchased a new house at Claude, Texas. Sydney Garret Gets "Virtuous Men" Film For Foreign Countries An extensive advertising and exploitation campaign has been inaugurated by Sidney Garrett, president of J. Frank Brockliss, Inc., in the interests of "Virtuous Men," the initial Ralph Ince film attraction. Mr. Garrett holds the exclusive rights to distribute the E. K. Lincoln feature sponsoied by Messrs. Sawyer and Lubin in the foreign film markets. A private showing of "Virtuous Men" in semi-finished form was given for the benefit of Garrett recently, at which time he enthusiastically endorsed the production, it is said. Impressed with the out-of-the-ordinary qualities of the first S-L offering, Garrett immediately outlined an advertising campaign, which he will execute in behalf of the picture in all countries exclusive of the United States and Canada. This advertising will be closely co-ordinated with the material which has been used to exploit "Virtuous Men" by the producers. A series of beautiful color inserts, the work of famous artists, published in the Exhibitors' Herald will be distributed abroad, in addition to a specially prepared series of publicity stories suited for foreign consumption. • "Once to Every Man" Is in Great Demand The Frohman Amusement Company report the closing of several contracts on their special "Once to Every Man." The following contracts were signed within the past week, Greater New York, Long Isiand and Westchester County to Merritt Film Exchange of New York city; New England states to the Major Films, Inc., of Boston; Michiigan, to Arthur S. Hyman Attractions of Detroit; Northern New York and Northern New Jersey, to Nathan Hirsch of New York city; Delaware, Maryland and District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina to the Super-Film Attractions of Washington. D. C. ; South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee to W. E. Drummond of Knoxville. Produce White Stories LOS ANGELES, CAL.— The Great Authors Pictures, Inc., has leased a part of the Robert Brunton studios and will produce several stories by Maj. Stewart Edward White, who recently returned from France. New Theatre for Sharon SHARON, PA.— Options have been secured by local business men on a large piece of property here, upon which will be erected a 2,000 seat playhouse at a cost of $150,000. Cutting "Marrying Mary" Marion Davies having finished "Marrying Mary." which Director Alan Dwan is now cutting, will rest next week prior to beginning work at the Backer-Bacon studios on a new production. 51