Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 20. 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 41 Pathe Officials Predict All Sales Records Will Be Broken in March Executives Declare That Reports Indicate That Feature Business Nearly Doubled That of Previous Week in February publications heavily booked during the rirst week of the competition are: "Other Men's Shoes," "Fighting Cressy," "My Husband's Other Wife," "Right to Lie," "A Woman of Pleasure," "The Gay Old Dog," "The Thirteenth Chair," and "The World Aflame." Pathe specials also meeting with favor this month are: "The Web of Deceit," "Respectable bv Proxy," "The Prince and Betty," "The A. B. C. of Love," "Brothers Divided." "A Damsel in Distress" and "Twin Pawns" and "The Virtuous Model." With the closing of the first week of March — "Brunet Month," in the annals of Pathe Exchange, Inc., during which exchange managers and salesmen artcompeting for prizes valued at $6,000 — Pathe reports the greatest volume of business ever recorded in any similar period of time. Judging by returns for the first six days, Pathe officials predict that all previous "high spots" in the sales records of the organization will be far surpassed. Feature Business Doubled Feature business nearly doubled that registered during the last week m February, one of the biggest in the history of the organization, it is said. Figures of sales on serials are setting a new high water mark. The effect of intensified sales efforts placed behind the Mrs. Sidney Drew comedies, in an effort on the part of the field force to win the prizes offered for the biggest business recorded on the two-reel subjects, is apparent in the flow of contracts said to be pouring into the home office. Work on Drew Comedies The Pathe salesmen have two of the Drew comedies with which to work. "The Charming Mrs. Chase" and "The Stimulating Mrs. Barton." Feature subjects are by no means being overlooked, and among the recent Drive on Lloyd Subjects The Harold Llovd series of two-reel comedies are maintaining the impetus they' gained with the initial publication. "Bumping Into Broadway." The campaign on behalf of these comedies i> being waged with renewed vigor this month, and, when Brunet anniversary is a matter of history, March most likely will be found to be the supreme month to date for the Lloyd offerings, it -is believed by Pathe officials. Spurred by the tributes paid by the foremost exhibitors of the country, to the Pathe News, on the occasion of its recent reported "beat" in the Lexington lynch riots, Pathe's field representatives are endeavoring to place the news reel in every theatre in their territory. Xew bookings on the topical reel are being received by the home office at a rate indicative of a banner month for this subject. Nancy Deaver to be Introduced to Screen in "The Law of the Yukon "The Family Honor" Said to be Vidor's Finest Production An invitational preview of the new King W. Vidor production. "The Family Honor," was given recently at a Hollywood theatre. A large audience of motion p'icture people and newspaper men were present. This is Mr. Vidor's initial picture for publication through the First National Exhibitors Circuit. The production, which ie said by those who have seen it to be the finest thing Mr. Vidor has done since "The Turn in the Road." will be issued about the middle of March. The Vidor picture includes in its cast Florence Vidor. Ben Alexander. Roscoe Karns, Charles Meredith, Willie Marks, George Nichols, Harold Goodwin and J. P. Lockney. The story deals with a Southern girl and her two brothers. The scenes are remarkable for their beauty and their presentation of old Southern atmosphere, it is said. The scenes on the Mississippi River are particularly noteworthy. The photography is by Ira H. Morgan and the scenario by William Parker. Open Wahpeton House WAHPETON, N. D.— Anton Gilles & Son, who formerly operated the Grand theatre at Breckenridge, Minn., have taken over the Opera House in this city. Charles Miller will introduce Nancy Deaver, a newcomer to the American screen, in "The Law of the Yukon." the first of a series of pictures he is making for Mayflower Photoplay Corporation. Miss Deaver is described as a dainty young Australian actress, who possesses unusual beauty and decided aptitude for screen work, together with a lively and engaging personality. Miller Is Impressed "In my career as a director for the screen." reads a report from Mr. Miller, who is now working at Port Henry, near the Canadian border of New York state, "I have discovered a number of actors and actresses who have become popular stars, but never have I been more impressed with anyone's ability than I have with that of Miss Deaver. She has more than come up to what I expected she could do when I engaged her for the part." Realart. which will issue "The Law of the Yukon," announces that no player is to be featured in the production. Director Miller following the same policy that was used in casting the Mayflower productions of "The Miracle Man" and "Soldiers of Fortune." Earle in Cast Edward Earle. whose work in the O. Henry series of pictures, obtained for him Broadway bookings, will play the part of John Kleath. June Elvidge will Strong selling efforts are being placed behind the Pathe Review and Topics of the Day, and, in fact, not a single subject distributed by Pathe is being overlooked during Brunet anniversary month. No Steps in Theatre Being Constructed by Jensen V on Herberg What is believed will be the most novel theatre in the United States is the new Liberty, a Jensen and von Herberg house now nearing completion in Yakima, Wash. There will not be a single step in any pari of the playhouse. The plan of construction calls for a duotorium. that is, two auditoriums, one directly above the other, connected by an easy incline. The two floors or auditoriums will use the same screen. but differing from ordinary theatre construction — there will be no more slant or angle to the balcony floor than to the lower floor. Manager J. von Herberg returned to his Seattle offices last week after inspection of the Yakima house, and fixed the opening date as on or about Saturday, April 3. The house, which seats 1.022, is being constructed at an estimated cost of $175,000. The new $20,000 Wurlitzer Hope-Jones unit orchestra for the Liberty has been installed. Manager von Herberg also announced that the idea for the duotorium is the property of his architect, H. Ryan, of Seattle. 810,000 is Being Spent MONTEZUMA, GA— W. L. McKenzie is spending $10,000 in remodeling a building here into a modern motion picture theatre. play the role of Mrs. Meredith, the -doctor's wife. Tom Delmar, with a creditable record on the stage and who did such good work in the Jack London production of "The Star Rover," plays opposite Miss Elvidge. The smaller parts have been filled by capable players and large numbers of men and women extras were used for the big Yukon scenes. The adaptation of the Robert W. Service poems was done by Harry Chandles. Go to Trenton, N. J., to Uphold Sunday Shows (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 9 — A large delegation of prominent film men, headed by Frederick H. Elliott, executive secretary of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, left Monday morning for Trenton, N. J., to attend the hearing on the Sunday opening bill. Dr. S. C. Hespie of Jersey City is leading the fight on behalf of the state exhibitors. Contract Is Awarded For Building Regent GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.— C. Hoertz & Son have been awarded the contract to build the new Regent theatre. Work on the building will be started shortly.