Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

Well, boys, here's hoping you all share plentifully in this Yuletide's joys and happiness and though the Supreme Court has us all a bit nervous you never can tell what the next few days has in store. If they say, "GO"— Oh, BOY! Back again on the job the following Monday, eh, wot? What it takes to close a sale, from all accounts, Max Schwartz, sales representative for the Republic Distributing Corp., has it ALL. It seems the other day while screening a Prizma production for an exhibitor down state, at the conclusion of the screening was abruptly informed : "Young man, that may be beautiful and all that you claim for it, but it don't appeal to me, as I am color blind." However, a day or so later, a contract duly signed and subscribed to was forwarded to representative Schwartz for a year's output. So another perfect day was ended. Again it com^s to pass that too many pokers in the fire ofttimes burns one's fingers. Our good friend, J. F. Dittman, of the Majestic and Strand Theatres, Freeport, 111., was approached by a charming and comely saleslady in quest of an introduction for her product. "Remo soap," to the elite of Freeport. Her plan was to have the local picture theatres accept the soap wrappers as a five cent cash payment through the box office and her company would redeem all so presented. Now for the entree of J. T. D. with a "first run" tie-up. He purchases 1,500 bars of the cleansing potion, giving a bar to every lady attending the Majestic and accepting the wrappers at the Strand as a five cent payment. This was over a week ago. Up to press time we have been informed that about seven wrappers have trickled through the cashier's window at the Strand. Monopoly may have its charms, many are called but few chosen, ahem ! That was some party staged in the Cameo Room of the Hotel Morrison Sunday evening, December 7. Bevies of alluring "vamps," peppy bathing sirens and demure Quakeresses appeared in a musical pageant entitled "The Follies of the Ages," and it's rumored about local film circles that I Maynard Schwartz was the responsible party to the affair. No wonder he's a noivous bachelor — there isn't a man lives capable of selecting JUST ONE out of that brigade we saw. Just a word to you film auto pilots along the H. C. of L. regarding your motor cars. Charles F. Ippel, foreign service man for Lyon & Healy, just returned from abroad, tells us he saw a chap pay $2,000 for A TIRE in Germany; so from where we sit — old Yankeeland is a bed of roses. One of the big sights of the Atlantic City Boardwalk at the Coliseum last Friday eve was our old pal, Ad Powell, who managed to slip away from the Rex Theatre for the evening and guide two prepossessing "society frails" through the maze of society's latest one-step and fox-trot maneuvers. Reported by "Mac" of some 1920 film offerings for his many Illinois and Indiana exhibitor accounts; so long about Jan. 1 be prepared to get an earful of news regarding Unity Photoplays Co. latest offerings. Judging from the way Gus Treulich's digits quiver and shake these days it might be the Sahara atmosphere of the Loop or those soft coal pills he smokes, but reliable info tells us Gus is now taking dancing lessons from Prof. Roach. If his pedals ever develop the same qualities of the aforementioned parts of his anatomy, he should receive press notes galore on his rendition of "the shimmie." Captain Stanley Huntley Lewis, his trick automobile with the horn that plays tunes, in company with Miss Yvette Perry, his beautiful and accomplished comrade in arms, blew into town recently to assist in the exploiting of "A Regular Girl," Elsie Janis' first picture. Battling Al Gallas, fillum salesman supreme, admits that "The Common Law," which is being placed at the disposal of Chicago and Chicago territory exhibitors again, is going like wildfire. We never saw enough wildfire to amount to much, but from the way the bookings are coming in on Clara Kimball Young's masterpiece, it must be pretty speedy stuff. Several of the Sylphlike Stenos of Select have pooled their talents for the purpose of thinking a way out of the coal situation. Several of them had to ramble down 19 separate and distinct stories to reach terra firma (slang for State Street) the other night, and they objected. So they have decided to establish a pup tent on the Frank Zambreno arrived Dec. 10 after a several days' visit to New York in quest Quite Mean of Meehan To Deny He's Meighan What's a few telephone calls between friends? To P. J. Meehan, a business man, it meant a night's sleep. He was fortunate or unfortunate enough to be registered in the Hotel Sherman, Chicago, the same night that Tom Meighan affixed his signature to the register. Friends of Actor Meighan seeking telephone conversation with him were, with unerring accuracy, connected with the room of Business Man Meehan. After consigning Max Goldstine and Tom Allen to a warmer climate, Business Man Meehan, maddened by the tinkling phone, forsook pajamas for street attire and sought out the clerk with fire in his eye. That diplomatic gentleman suavely extinguished the flame and a few minutes later when Business Man Meehan met Actor Meighan all was forgiven. Later — Meehan has announced his intention of going to see Meighan in "Male and Female." roof until the situation is settled, it being closer from the 19th floor up than it is from the 19th floor down, if you grasp what we mean. Eddie Silverman made a cleanup last week. During the spectacular fire which happened on Plymouth Court, Eddie discovered that the windows in his office were better than ringside seats. So he hung up a sign charging 10c admission and lc war tax, and is now eating regular meals instead of the customary tidbits which he formerly enjoyed at noon. The cold spell doesn't bother Ben Beadell in the least. If you ever entered hi? office you'll know why. He keeps the windows open and the steam off. If we believed in transmigration we'd lay a little bet that Ben was a polar bear or a sea lion in his former existence. Julius Alcock holds the record of the Consumers Building in the nightly marathon. Julius can make it from the 19th floor to the main floor in 3 minutes flat. The closest time to this is the record hung up by Paul Bush of the New National Pictures, who made it in 3 :45 one night last week. Alcock and Bush run about a dead heat on the straightaways, but Julius has a knack of making the bends one one tire, which gives him considerable of an advantage. Exhib. Bastar of the Court Theatre. Kankakee, was a visitor at the Select Office during the week. Mr. Bastar was all covered with a handsome, ingrained threerarat leather coat, just like a football, only if you tried kicking him. you'd be surprised at the difference. While here he managed to throw the hooks into Lee Woodyatt for a meal at the Winter Garden. Lee wanted to see whether or not Bastar's quarter was heads on both sides before he'd admit he was licked. May we clear our throat and rise to inquire "Where Xell has the new fillum building gone?" Bill "Shakespeare" Hirschberg, salesman DeLuxe, had occasion to drop into the Ardmore Theatre, home of that enterprising duo, Applebaum & Kahn. After the usual exchange of amenities, Bill casuallybroached the subject of "Lombardi, Ltd." "That's out," says Applebaum with finality. "We've tried Helen Holmes and they won't fall for her. Guess they don't want railroad pictures." P. A. Ulgerard Smith, Select's policedefying publicity hound, is attempting to arrange a tie-up with Santa Claus so that every stocking and Christmas tree in the Chicago district will blaze with the praises of Selznick stars. Sounds impossible, but — well Smith's got a way all his own. The many friends of Walter L. Hill were surprised on learning that he had severed his connections with the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. His genial smile and hearty greeting will be missed by exhibitors. 159