Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 13, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 35 Would Bar Sale of William Randolph Hearst Seeks Tickets for S. R. O. Alliance With Big Six Directors Bill Provides for $10 Fine for . First Violations in District J Parker Read, Jr.. Business Manager, Declares of Columbia Associated Producers Are Entertaining Three Washington. -The practice of Plans of Distribution (By Wire to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK CITY, March 2.— (Special)— William Randolph Hearst has entered negotiations with the Associated Producers, Inc., in an effort to form an alliance. Hearst has been anxious for some time to get into the picture business on a big scale and it is thought a possible connection may be made. The "Big Six" producers are still negotiating with several distributing companies but have yet reached no decision. DETAILS OF PROPOSITION TO DISTRIBUTORS The deal they are seeking to arrange is briefly as follows : The distributing organization is to advance to each director the necessary funds to produce at six per cent interest. After the distributing organization receives back in rentals all the money advanced together with interest and distribution costs, the directors are to receive the revenue. The big distributing organizations have turned a deaf ear to the proposition on the grounds it is inequitable. Allan Dawn has left New York for the Coast. It is reported he has had a disagreement with the organization on the grounds that J. Parker Read, Jr.. as business manager, is not equally interested in all of the directors in the organization. First National is reported not to be interested in the "Big Six'' pictures on the basis of the agreement offered. First National has been offered the Louise Glaum and Hobart Bosworth productions by Read in connection with the "Big Six" arrangement but has not reached a decision. It is rumored that several directors concerned in the "Big Six" are seeking individual connections. permitting patrons of motion picture theatres and other places of amusement to stand when all seats are occupied would be forbidden in the District of Columbia under the terms of a bill which has been introduced in congress by Representative Wheeler of Illinois. Mentioning motion picture theatres specifically, the bill provides that no person owning, managing or conducting any theatre shall sell tickets or permit the entrance of any person in excess of the seating capacity of the theatre. In the case of houses running continuous performances, no admissions may be" permitted when no seats are available. Section 3 places with the district commissions the authority to limit the number and determine the arrangement of seats in any theatre, having regard to its proper ventilation, fire protection and sanitation, and no playhouse may increase its seating capacity or rearrange its seats without first obtaining the commissioners' approval. The sale of tickets or the admission of persons for whom no seats are available may be punishable by a fine of $10 tor each violation, each ticket sold or entrance permitted in violation of the act being deemed a separate violation. Upon the conviction of any person for violations occurring on three or more separate dates in any one theatre the court may order the license of the place temporarily revoked. Consider 4,000-Seat Playhouse for Boston BOSTON, MASS.— The Bacon building at Washington and Essex streets has been acquired by a company composed of Max Mitchell of the Cosmopolitan Trust Company; Adolph Leve of the New England Waste Company: L. Agoos of L. Agoos Company; Reuben Broomfield of the Stoughtor mills, and Benjamin A, Prager of the Mayflower Photoplay Corporation. A part of the building will be reconstructed, into a modern motion picture theatre with 4.000 seats. The theatre will occupy part of the basement first, second and third floors. "River's End" Breaks Universal Precedent (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. March 2.— Marshall Neilan's "The River's End" will have the distinction of being the first nonUniversal picture to play the Superba theatre since Carl Laemmle purchased the playhouse three years ago. The "fact that it broke all recent records at the Kinema induced Manager Arthur Wenzel not only to depart from house policy but to play the first secondrun in many months. Take Over Picture House JOPLIN. MO.— The new theatre building being constructed here has been leased by Louis Alexander and Gus Bennett. According to J. Parker Read. Jr.. however, there is no dissension in the ranks of -the Associated Producers, and negotiations towards a satisfactory arrangement are progressing rapidly. "Out of the many propositions made to us, we are now considering three deals, one of which doubtless will be closed within a week," he said. Consider Independent Action "The first is an independent arrangement with the establishing of our own exchanges. The others contemplate an alliance for physical distribution with established companies. In whatever deal closed, the Associated Producers will maintain full control over their productions." J. Parker Read productions, it is declared, will be allied with the Associated Producers arrangement. Louise Glaum. Read star, will leave Saturday for Los Angeles. Thomas H. Ince. president of the "Big Six." and Mr. Read, who is business manager, plan to leave March 10. First National May Get Hearst Pictures (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. March 2.— Joseph A. Moore, personal representative of William Randolph Hearst, is awaiting a conference with J. D. Williams, general manager of the First National Exhibitors Circuit, relative to the distribution of Cosmopolitan and other Hearst pictures through First National. Hearst's contract with the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation expires soon. It is understood that he is contemplating other arrangements, possibly with First National. Expect Daylight Law To Pass in Chicago The Chicago city council is expected to pass a daylight saving ordinance on March 4. The A. A. A. decided to make no protest as a separate organization, placing its views on the question with the Chicago Employers' association. Theatre men in Chicago are unanimously opposed to the change. Henry M. Hobart in Important Position (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 2.— Henry M. Hobart. general manager of the International Film Corporation, has been elected vice-president of the organization. Goldstine in East (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 2.— Max Goldstine of Chicago is here in conference with Adolph Zukor. Eugene Zukor returned here todav from a trip to Kansas City. New Manager in Charge GRIFFIN. GA.— Sol Samuels has relinquished management of the Alamo theatre to W. S. Merrell. Manages for Brother MORGAN FIELD. KY.— Frank Dozier is managing the theatre recently purchased by his brother, E. W. Dozier.