Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1919)

E XHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY "The Carter Case" Is Well Received At First Showing Following months of preparation and the utilization of every method of exploitation known to the picture industry, the Oliver Films, Inc., serial, "The Carter Case," based on the Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Grey story of Craig Kennedy, and starring Herbert Rawlinson and Margaret Marsh, has reached the screen. An auspicious opening was given the serial in New York at the Symphony Theatre, 95th street and Broadway, where it was shown last Friday and Saturday. Manager Morris Kashin of the Symphony is authority for the statement that the opening was a tremendous success, an occasion that will substantiate the fondest expectations of the producers, the exchangemen and the distributors, and justifies the opinion, expressed following its initial showing to the trade, that "The Carter Case" creates a new standard for episode pictures. Tremendous popularity for the serial is indicated by the glowing reception it was given by the public in the first New York showing. The Symphony Theatre was packed to capacity at every performance. A serial has never before been shown at the Symphony, which made this departure from its policy by reason of the unusual character of "The Carter Case." Following this success, the Pioneer Film Corporation, controlling the territory of New York City, State, and Northern New Jersey, completed bookings for a large number of New York theatres, and will announce the list in a few days. They say that the serial will be shown in more New York theatres than any other episode picture yet produced. Harry Grossman, of Oliver Films, Inc., states that bookings are being completed at a rapid rate throughout the country. The latest big circuit to take ''The Carter Case" is that of Lubliner & Trinz of Chicago. Harold Lloyd and Relx Daniel* in a rollicking Holln-I'athe comedy, "Next Aisle Over." D. W. Griffith Petitions Congress for a Law To Protect Works D. W. Griffith, the motion picture producer, through Representative Julius Cahn of California, will petition Congress to pass a law making it a criminal offense to plagiarize a motion picture or the name of a motion picture producer. According to Mr. Griffith, his name as well as the names of other authors and producers, has been falsely used in connection with certain motion pictures, whose sponsors attribute their productions to men who have had nothing to do with the making of the pictures and who are in no way concerned in their exhibition. Mr. Griffith cites several instances where his own name has been falsely used, and calls the attention of Congress to newspaper advertisements and announcements-exploiting motion pictures of inferior make as "Produced by D. W. Griffith." Two instances of this misrepresentation have been found, one in Trenton, N. J., and the other in Cleveland, Ohio. In both cases, "The Hun Within" has been exploited both in advertisements and newspaper announcements as "Produced by D. W. Griffiths." Exhibitors are warned not to use Mr. Griffith's name as the producer of any picture not included in the following list: "The Birth of a Nation," "Intolerance," "Hearts of the World," "The Great Love," "The Greatest Thing in Life," "A Romance of Happy Valley," "The Girl Who Stayed at Home," "The Fall of Babylon," "The Mother and the Law." B. P. Fineman on Tour B. P. Fineman, manager of the accessory sales promotion department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, left New York last week on a tour of all the Famous Players-Lasky exchanges. Mr. Fineman's immediate purpose is to consult with managers on the handling of accessories with the idea of enhancing the service to exhibitors of this material. He will also explain in detail the new system of advertising and publicity whereby complete co-operation of exhibitors and the exchanges will be effected. In connection with his promotion work, Mr. Fineman also will visit as many of the large first-run exhibitors as possible. Cantor Returns to Coast Abe Cantor, of the technical staff of the Anita Stewart Productions Company, who has been supervising the laboratory work on "The Midnight Romance" at the Rothacker Laboratories in Chicago, has returned to Los Angeles to assist in the filming of Miss Stewart's next production, which is being made under Marshall Neilan's direction. Dana Leaves Lasky P. D. Dana has resigned as assistant advertising manager for Famous PlayersLasky Corporation and will take up his duties as Director of Advertising and Publicity for the Arrow Film Corporation, Times Building, New York, at once. 32 Marion Davies In the Select Picture. "Getting Mary Married," an Allan Dvran production. The story is by Anita Loos and John Emerson. New M. P. Theatre For New Rochelle It is reported that a syndicate will erect a $200,000 theatre in New Rochelle, N. Y., at the corner of Main and Church streets, with a seating capacity of 1,200. The Nicholas Power Company will install two of their modern 6-B Cameragraphs in this new theatre, it is said, and there is to be an innovation in the way of a screen so that many novel effects will be secured by the use of a water, curtain. There are only three motion picture houses in New Rochelle, Loew's American, the Little Theatre on Rose street, and the La Rochelle on Hugenot street. All of these houses play to capacity and there is said to be a most lucrative field for another motion picture house there. It is reported that Trench and Hall have secured the contract for the building. Denver Man Buys Film H. O. Kyler, of the Supreme Photoplay Company of Denver, has been in New York completing arrangements for the purchase of many pictures, one of which is "Once to Every Man," the Sherrill production picture. He purchased that production for the territory of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. Picture Studio Leased LOS ANGELES, CAL.— R. A. Rowan & Co., through their leasing department, report having leased the old Biograph studio, corner Georgia and Girard streets, to the Katherine MacDonald Pictures Corporation. This lease covers quite a period, and runs well up into the thousands of dollars. Weeks Goes to Coast C. A. Weeks, treasurer of' the Zane Grey Pictures, Inc. and Great Authors Pictures, Inc., has left New York for a flying trip to Los Angeles where he will confer with B. B. Hampton, president of the two organizations.