Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD John H. Kunsky Enterprises Join First National Expansion Plans Answer Rumors of Affiliation With Other Producers And Film Enterprises By Taking Lead In Circuit 's Program While the wires were being crossed and double crossed with various stories of his affiliation with other producers and film enterprises, John H. Kunsky, head of the John H. Kunsky Enterprises, Inc., quietly gave the lie to the rumors last week by lining himself up as one of the leaders in the First National Exhibitors' Circuit's plan for a general expansion. Mr. Kunsky, who owns the First National franchise for Michigan and is at the head of the Madison and Adams Theatres, two of the largest and most beautiful motion picture palaces in the world, besides a string of smaller neighborhood houses that furnish a good share of the pictured amusement in Detroit, has placed his shoulders squarely behind the movement, not only by subscribing generously from his capital, but by taking an active interest in the plans for expansion. Proposes Seven New Theatres In addition to his theatrical interests at the present, Mr. Kunsky is now breaking ground for two large theatres and has plans under way for the erection of five more, two of which will be in the heart of the business district and will give him control of practically all of the downtown motion picture patronage. This expansion of First National, which crystallized last week with the announcement of the formation of two allied companies with a combined capital of $16,400,000. The Associated First National Theatres, Inc., capital $10,400,000, and the Associated First National Pictures, Inc., capital $6,000,000, is looked on, not only by Mr. Kunsky, but by nearly every exhibitor in Michigan, as one of the most important developments in the history of the industry relative to the alignment of exhibiting interests. Mr. Kunsky's immediate action and interest in the proposition after it was offered to him by J. D. Williams, general manager of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, when the latter was in Detroit a few days ago, is strongly indicative of the attitude of other leading exhibitors in the Central West, among whom Mr. Kunsky is looked on as a pioneer, and one whose ideas on motion picture showmanship are very seldom questioned. When a picture is booked for a run at either the Madison or Adams Theatres, the exhibitors in Michigan, although not necessarily looking upon the picture as in a class all its own, know that its box office possibilities must be there or Mr. Kunsky would not have booked it. Such is Mr. Kunsky's standing among the exhibitors; therefore all of his business actions are looked on with a good deal of interest. Trendle Is Enthusiastic George W. Trendle, secretary of the First National Film Exchange of Michigan, and general manager of the John H. Kunsky Enterprises, issued the following statement relative to the expansion plans: "Although we were firm believers in the future of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit at the time it was conceived three years ago and have become more and more enthused as its policies and products loomed up to improve the market, the new expansion plans which call for a real showdown in the protection of the exhibiting interests of the country, mix the proper prescription to make us jump into the ring with all four feet. "I do not believe that any better idea for the protection of the smaller interests could be conceived than those now being considered by the Circuit and we are heart and soul behind the movement." Give Three Pictures Premiers at Coast (Special to EXHIBITORS HERALD) LOS ANGELES, CALIF., Dec. 9.— Three big pictures received their Western premiers here this week. "Victory," Maurice Tourneur's ParamountArtcraft production opened at Grauman's theatre. "Heart of the Hills." Mary Pickford's First National attraction and Allan Dwan's "Soldiers of Fortune," Realart, began runs at the Kinema and California. "Martha's Vindication," with Norma Talmadge, and "The Weaker Sex," with Louise Glaum, Triangle reissues are the attractions at the Symphony and Alhambra. Selznick and Weber Join in Corporation] To Produce features Lewis J. Selznick and L. L. Weber, who has figured prominently in various stage and screen enterprises, have combined forces to launch a producing organization to be known as the Weber Productions, Inc. The Peerless studios at Fort Lee, N. J., will be used for the production of "Children of Destiny," which will have as its star Edith Hallor, one-time Ziegfeld Follies girl, also well known for her portrayal of the leading role in "Leave It to Jane" and as Intoxication in "Experience," the stage spectacle of a few seasons ago. The productions are to be offered with the advantage of intensive advertising and publicity campaigns, this part of the work to come directly under the care of Mr. Selznick. Both men express themselves as highly pleased with the association and confident of wholly satisfactory results from the enterprise. Fox Buys Five Novels For Use as Film Plays William Farnum, George Walsh and William Russell are the Fox stars tentatively chosen for the leading roles in the picturizations of five novels which have just been purchased by that organization for screen purposes. The novels are, "The Iron Rider," by Frank L. Packard, "The Orphan," by Clarence Mulford, "The Honor of the Force," the work of Alan Sullivan, "Find the Woman," a Gelett Burgess novel, and "The Penalty," a stage play by Henry Clifford Colwell. MARY PICKFORD IN ROLE OF CUPID Frances Marion, scenario writer, and Fred Thompson, former world's champion athlete and chaplain of the 143rd Field Artillery, were recently married at Memorial Baptist Church, Washington Square. Mary Pickford acted as bridesmaid, since it was she who first introduced them two years ago. 53