Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 6, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 Independent Exchange Men Meet To Prevent Their Extermination Fifty Leaders in State Right Field Attend Chicago Convention to Form Co-Operative Body to Compete With Big Distributors The first step towards what promises to be a determined nation-wide fight on the part of the independent exchange men to save themselves from extermination by making it worth while for independent producers to continue to offer their features and short subjects on the state rights market is being taken in Chicago during the present week. Representatives of fifty of the largest independent film exchanges are forming a co-operative body, which will settle boundary disputes, proportion the cost of negatives by territories and arrange to raise the financial encouragement necessary to keep the independent producers from looking to the big distributors as the only practical market. Declare Convention Is Independent One Although the convention was sponsored largely by the Capital Film Corporation and its officials arranged the details of entertaining the guests and providing for suitable meeting places, it is declared that Capital's connection with it ceased when the gavel fell at the opening business session. RALPH BRADFORD, who resigned as Chicago manager for the Triangle Distributing Corporation to become associated with the S. A. Lynch Enterprises at Atlanta, Ga., has returned to Chicago to become manager of the Chicago office of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation. Bradford succeeds F. F. Creswell, who has been made division manager for Paramount. He enjoys a large acquaintance in the central west and his appointment was a popular one with the exhibitors of Chicago and vicinity. Rothacker Enlarges Industrial Activity Leggett & Gruen Sell Out Industrial Business, Declares Report (By Special Correspondence) NEW YORK, Feb. 24.— Negotiations have been closed whereby the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company of Chicago takes over the industrial motion picture activities of Leggett & Gruen, which had been distributing through the Pathe exchanges. No official announcement has been issued by either party to the agreement, "but the information comes from reliable sources. It is believed to mark the beginning of an important addition to Rothacker's film enterprises. At the Chicago headquarters of the Rothacker company, confirmation of the above dispatch could not be obtained. It was learned, however, that Watterson R. Rothacker, president of the company, goes east early next week on important business. Grauman Style Show (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. Feb. 24.— Sid Grauman is staging a "Spring Fashion Pageant" this week in connection with the showing. "His House In Order," Elsie Ferguson's latest. Gowns valued at thousands are being shown by living models. The vanguard of the visiting independent exchange men reached Chicago Sunday, February 22, although the business sessions did not open until the following Tuesday. Monday found forty of the delegates already assembled. Well-Known Men Present Among the early arrivals were: Gene Pearce and H. J. Hermann. Pearce Film Co., New Orleans. H. E. Hendricks, Ever Ready Reel Co. and Supreme Film Corp., Denver, Colo. H. E. Coffey, Empire Film Dist. Co., Washington. A. A. Millman, Capital Film Exchange, Philadelphia. Al Kahn, Crescent Film Co.. Kansas City. H. A. Kyler, Supreme Photoplays Corp., Denver. David Townsend, Artograph Film Co., Denver. Jack Elliott, Elliott Film Corp., Minneapolis. Dave Mundstuk, Strand Features, Detroit. Dave Chatkin, Consolidated Film Corp., San Francisco. W. A. Baier, W. A. Baier Film Co., Milwaukee. R. D. Lewis, R. D. Lewis Film Co., Oklahoma City. A. Steinberg, S. & S. Film & Supply Co., Pittsburgh. T. W. Dooley, Dooley Film Exchange. Syracuse. E. W. Hammons, Educational Film Corp., New York. Mr. Rovster, Premier Pictures Corp.. Charlotte,' N. C. Sam Werner, United Film Service, St. Louis. Max Waintroub, Fontenelle Film Co., Omaha. Mr. Farrell, Major Film Co., Boston. I. Bernstein, National Film Co., Los Angeles. C. C. Hite, C. C. Hite Attractions, Cincinnati, O. Mr. Minter, Minter United Amusements, Detroit. A. C. Bromberg, Atlanta, Ga. R. C. Cropper, Bee Hive Film Ex.. Chicago. Isadore Bernstein, general manager of the National Film Corporation, who will address the convention on "Greater Quality Productions for Short Subjects"; Neal Hart, Capital star, and Joe Brandt, special representative of the National Film Corporation, were among the guests at the convention. Executive Committee Named The executive committe appointed on ways and means includes Gene Pearce of New Orleans, temporary chairman; Dave Chatkin of San Francisco, H. A. Kyler of Denver, A. A. Millman of Philadelphia and R. D. Lewis of Oklahoma City. 'We believe from the standpoint of the Capital Film Company that the success of this association of independent exchanges is beyond the shadow of a doubt and an assured factor in the industry," said C. E. Eckels, general manager of the Capital company. "Every representative independent exchange man from the various territories in the United States has voiced in the strongest terms possible his unlimited support, willingness to fight for independent success to the last ditch. It has been really amazing to all of the independent producers that the exchange men who are attending the convention have not only offered their moral support, but are ready to extend financial aid in the way of advances on negatives for any picture approved by the association. "The minute the gavel was dropped at the first business session, the Capital Film Company dropped cut." Social Events on Program The convention was held February 24. 25 and 26. Each morning from 9:30 to 12:30 o'clock screening of features and short subjects available for the independent field were held. Social functions included a dinner at the Winter Garden the evening of February 24, a grand Oriental smoker February 25, a Tom Fool party February 2fi and on Friday, February 27, the greater number of the delegates were planning to attend the motion picture ball at the Coliseum. Canadian Pacific to Encourage Producers (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24.— Canada would lure the producers from Los Angeles to the northern wilds for occasional pictures at least. Max Enos, representative of the Canadian Pacific, is here conferring with producers and stars regarding the possibilities of filming outdoor pictures in Canada.