Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Associated Exhibitors Assured Full Support of Pathe Company Charles Pathe, Prior to Departure for France, Pledges Success of Plan — Impressed with Healthy Condition of Industry Every resource of Pathe Exchange, Inc., has been pledged to the successful culmination of the plan of the Associated Exhibitors, Inc., as the result of the recent visit to America of Charles Pathe, head of the international organization which bears his name. Mr. Pathe, accompanied by Madame Pathe and the Misses Pathe, has returned to France. During his visit here, Mr. Pathe transacted an enormous amount of business looking to the expansion and increased activities of Pathe Exchange, Inc. It was his second time in America this year and during his stay plans touching on every activity of the organization were thoroughly gone into. Paul Brunet, vice-president and general manager, has been devoting unlimited energy an enthusiasm to the project of the Associated Exhibitors, Inc., announcement of which was made recently. Considerable difficult work has been accomplished in a relatively short time and when Mr. Pathe was about to take his departure, the plan had matured and absolutely guaranteed in a manner which assured the fullest measure of successful operation. Company Head Gratified. Mr. Pathe expressed himself as deeply gratified by the early results and again pledged the resources of Pathe Exchange, Inc., in support of the plan. "I am especially impressed by the phenomenally healthy condition in the industry," said Mr. Pathe just before his departure. "Exhibitor reports that I have seen from all sections show that a steadily increasing number of persons attend the shows of motion pictures. The first run houses are playing to capacity and all of the smaller theatres have felt the new impetus. And, looking at these facts from the standpoint other than commercial, I can see that this phase is not merely temporary but indicative of the even broader vogue that will be attained by motion pictures. The building in New York and other portions of the country of magnificent palaces for the cinema is an indication of the increasingly firm foundation upon which this form of amusement now rests. It means, too, that to meet the critical demand, better pictures will have to be made, even admitting that the standard now reached is becoming impressive. Predicts Better Pictures. "The demand is not only for skillfully constructed stories dealing with human emotion but for sympathetic and skilled producers, who can translate these creations to the screen so that they may make an unfailing appeal to the hearts of the beholders. Pathe Exchange, Inc., therefore, has reason to teel proud in the enrollment of such acknowledged masters of the art as Albert Capellani, J. Stuart Blackton, Jesse D. Hampton, Mrs. Sidney Drew, Hobart Henley, Frank Keenan, Leonce Perret, Edwin Carew, and Edgar Lewis, with more in prospect. These are the minds that are putting the humanities into the pictures with a craftsmanship that squares nicely to all of the requirements of art of the drama. The coming year, I believe I am safe in saying, will be more than ever fruitful of achievement. "I have been most fully impressed by the spirit that pervades the organization in all of its branches. It is a wideawake achieving American spirit which will make itself felt in every country of the world; and I want to say a word of special commendation of all of the executives in the Home Office and the far flung exchanges, under the active chieftancy of Mr. Paul Brunet. The business of the organization has increased in a surprising and gratifying fashion. The mere enumeration of figures means little beside the splendid family spirit of pulling together and mak ing the big features with big results. My second stay this year has been overflowing with activities but it has been one of the most pleasant and memorable. I hope to return soon again and depart happy in the realization of a great volume of constructive work safely accomplished. First National and Rothacker Cooperate In Speedy Service When a print of Anita Stewart's "Mary Regan" was returned to the Cleveland First National Exchange, it was found that 400 feet of one reel were missing. There had been a fire. "Mary Regan" booked in a Cleveland suburban theatre at 11 o'clock the next day, and that was the only print the Cleveland office had available. The Cleveland exchange long-distanced to ask the Rothacker Film Mfg. Co.'s Chicago plant, where the "Mary Regan" negative is kept, what could be done. The night watchman received the telephoned "S. O. S." at 8:30 in the evening. G. H. Gibson, superintendent of laboratories, was at the plant at 9:06. By 11 o'clock a special messenger was aboard a train for Cleveland, carrying the 400 feet of celluloid — and the suburban Anita Stewart fans held their rally at the theatre as per schedule. "Grumpy" Purchased by RobertsonCole Firm "Grumpy," the play which attracted theatre goers in all parts of the world and whose gross receipts during its four years' run were large, will soon be filmed. This announcement was made this week by officials of Robertson-Cole. It will be a Robertson-Cole special and a celebrated star will be seen in the stellar role of "Grumpy." Theatrical producers have said that "Grumpy" was the best money producer that has ever played Broadway. The record in New York City of this success was heralded abroad and when "Grumpy" reappeared in Europe, dramatic critics, it is said, declared that it outshone all previous stage productions both in a financial and entertaining qualities. A STORY OF THE UNDERWORLD AND ITS PITFALLS