Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Reports from Goldwyn Exchanges Show Success of Salesmen's Day Concentrated Drive in All Parts of Country Bring Big Results— Many Salesmen Make Exceptionally Strong Showing Although the returns are not yet complete, enough reports have been received at the home office of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation from the branch exchanges to indicate the success of Salesmen's Day, recently designated by that organization for a concentrated drive by the Goldwyn salesmen in all parts of the country. Special efforts were made to introduce "Goldwyn Weeks" in theatres that heretofore have adhered to the policy of one and twoday showings. In a number of instances, consecutive Goldwyn bookings covering two, and in some cases, three full weeks were secured. The first report received was a wire from Ben Reingold of the St. Louis branch. It reads: "Succeeded in booking 'J'nx' at tne American Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind., for a seven-day run at a record price. Also secured twentyone playing dates for Goldwyn Pictures at Strand theatre, Evansville, Ind., for month of December." Walter F. Hayner Active Walter F. Hayner, who covers the state of Maryland, cut loose in Federalsburg and Baltimore, closing ten separate contracts in the day, for a total of one hundred and fifty pictures. A. J. Davis, who handles the Virginia territory, signed the Globe theatre, Richmond for ten star series pictures on the open booking plan for third run at excellent prices. This contract served to sharpen his appetite for business, and he jumped to Petersburg where he signed the Virginia theatre for fifteen of last year's pictures and fifty-two issues of the Goldwyn-Bray Pictograph. Julius Barris, one of the live wires nt the Kansas City office, visited Manager Wilhout of the Landes theatre, Springfield, Mo., and attached his name to a contract for the entire third year output. This is particularly gratifying as heretofore Goldwyn was not represented in Springfield. Not to be outdone by his co-worker in the Kansas City branch, W. C. Answell signed up the Royal theatre, Emporia, Kansas for Goldwyn's entire third year series. Successful in Oklahoma G. W. Burnham, operating in Oklahoma, placed three of last year's pictures in the Majestic theatre at Tulsa; then journeyed to Sapulpa and sold Rex Beach and Geraldine Farrar productions at tip-top prices. Harry A. Somerfield of Cincinnati claims to have broken all speed records by closing three contracts in as many hours. W. P. (Pat) Stevenson learned that admission price cutting was in progress at Miami and on Salesmen's Day, he rounded up three belligerent exhibitors, entertained them at luncheon, and during the meal spread the propaganda of good business judgment and ethics. As a result, he not only settled the admission price question, but came away with two separate sets of contracts from which to choose. Seth D. Perkins. Cal ifornia representative, brought in a largecontract from a town of 15,000, which included the third year series and the Goldwyn-Bray Pictographs. The following wire has been received from Salt Lake City: "King Solomon closed for entire output Empress theatre, Missoula, Montana. Secured bookings on same, twenty-eight consecutive days, December 9, to January 5, inclusive." The Detroit team, Messrs. Kornheiser, Moss and Smith brought in six contracts from as many theatres scattered over the state of Michigan. Show Speed in South Although handicapped by the illness of Paul Desbon, the New Orleans office was heard from. Milton Dureau filed contracts from the Columbia and Gaiety theatres, New Orleans, and Resident Manager Arthur Dickinson completed arrangements for the showing of Goldwyn's third year product in the houses controlled by Sobel, Richards and Shear Enterprises. S. C. Martenstein cut loose in San Francisco, and, according to advices, received, closed ten contracts in that city and Oakland. A wire from Seattle reads: "With reference to Salesmen's Day, please be advised that on that day, H. James Boswell sent in contracts aggregating four hundred pictures. Also be advised that F. A. Bernado turned in contracts covering five towns. When we say contracts, we mean an entire year's output." Fay Films Completes First of Its Comedies Frank S. Mattison, general manager of the Fay Films Company, a new producing company recently incorporated by Rupert F. Fry and several Milwaukee business men, announces the completion of their first Harry Cane Comedy. Harry Cane is said to be the "Hurricane of Comedy" and is said to live up to this title in the first picture. Cane does many novel stunts, including hanging under a flying aeroplane and falling down a factory chimney. Other actors in the supporting company are Henry Warner, Charles Terris and J. Marcus Keyes. There is to be a series of twenty-six single reel comedies and they will be sold on the states right plan. The permanent home of the company will be in Jacksonville, Fla. Writer Joins Selznick'Co. Katherine Reed has arrived at Los Angeles as a special writer for the Myron Selznick Company. She adapted Elaine Hammerstein's first Selznick feature from a one act playlet by S. F. Kaufman, and she is the author of the Selznick story now going into production at the Brunton studio. Miss Reed was formerly on the Vitagraph writing staff in the east, and adapted the majority of the O. Henry stories produced there. 61 Back Jones (at top) {giving an illustration of the daring horsemanship which is to feature his series of Fox produetions; a scene (centre) from his latest feature. "The Sqnare Shooter"; Clara Miller and Frances Terry (at bottom), two puncherettes, who have been engaged to support the star. Woman Boxer is Aiding Paramount Health Film Miss Vera Roehm, physical culturist, who has boxed more than 900 rounds with the former world's champion pugilist, James J. Corbett, is the chief originator and director and one of the leading exponents of "Poise, Grace and Beauty," a series of health and physical culture pictures shortly to be produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation for the Paramount Magazine. The first will be December 28.