Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

106 EXHIBITORS HERALD October 16, 1920 Exhibitors Now Look Forward to Long Period of Prosperity, Says Aschmann Present prosperity has had its effect in bringing about an attitude of marked optimism in Chicago film circles, according to William Aschmann, manager of Pathe's Chicago branch, who visited the home office recently. No let-down in general business is to be found in the Chicago territory and the exhibitors there are looking forward to a long period of continued prosperity, he declared. "The exhibitors in my territory," said Mr. Aschmann, "have come through the summer with flying colors. In looking ahead, great significance is attached to the fact that this year no falling off whatsoever was noted in box office returns during July and August, an unprecedented thing. Give Exhibitor Confidence "The sustained box office receipts during the summer, added to other unmistakable indications that the picture business is still on the increase, have given the exhibitor a confidence that will permit him to accomplish great things in the near future. "The wave of price cutting reported from all parts of the country has not ap proached Chicago, and the easing up of the strained condition which is noted everywhere makes it appear as though our city will not experience any letdown. The theatres have increased their prices steadily, and while there is a feeling that there will be no continued action in this regard, there is not the slightest feeling that theatre admissions will come down. Play Lloyd's Latest "Two houses in the Loop district of Chicago, both with a seating capacity of less than 500 seats, played 'High and Dizzy.' Harold Lloyd's great comedy, for the first run in the windy city. They played the picture day and date, and both realized a greater profit on the show than thty had ever made before. This is an illuminating illustration of what can be done at picture theatres regardless of their size, for at each theatre the picture was taken at a figure that would be considered, a year ago, to be big even for 850-seat houses. "The new fire ordinance which went into effect early in the year focussed the attention of the entire city on the film interests. The requirements that a fortyeight-inch vent clear to the roof from film vaults necessitated a great many removals of the film exchange quarters, so that now the film row of Chicago seems destined to be permanently located in Wahash avenue. Service Is Continued "Despite the handicaps of moving, however, we were able to continue our service to the exhibitor. The highest light in that service was the number of sensational scoops scored by the Pathe Xews. The News is highly appreciated by the exhibitors there. An almost continual stream of congratulations from showmen culminated recently in a veritable avalanche of wires and letters complimenting Pathe News on its excellent enterprise in getting scenes of the Wall street bomb explosion on the screens of Chicago theatres Friday. September 17, the day after the catastrophe." Pathe Creates Precedent With International Issue Another acquisition to its schedule of fall and winter publications has been made by Pathe Exchange, Inc., in the taking over of Leonce Perret's international drama, "The Empire of Diamonds." The story is a Continental novel, written by Valentine Mandelstamm, one of the French exponents of melodramatic writing. Pathe will distribute the Perret production throughout Canada and Australia, in addition to the United States. "The Empire of Diamonds" is an international drama. Mr. Perret filmed the production in the actual territory written about by the author. The director took a company to Europe, filming scenes in London, Paris, Nice, Monte Carlo and the Riviera. He completed his work on a transatlantic liner and in New York City. Pearl White Is Winner In Popularity Contest Pearl White, William Fox star, is announced as the winner in two classes in a popularity contest recently conducted by an English trade and fan publication with headquarters in London. The contest was divided into twenty divisions and Miss White yon out in two of them, headed, "Who is your ideal screen heroine?" and "Who is the bravest film actress?" Fox announces. Desert Heat Great Trial To Harry Carey Company In Filming New Feature I'niversal announces the publication, October 11, of a new Harry Carey picture, ' Sundown Slim," from the Knibbs novel of that name. In it the western star has a tramp rote equalled bv his characterization of another Knibbs hero, "Overland Red," producers claim. 1 he picture was directed by Val Paul. Supporting Carey are Mignonne, whose last name is not made public, Francis Conrad. Otto Meyers. Ed Jones, J. M. Foster, Ted Brooks, Charles LeMoyne, Duke Lee, Joseph Harrus, Genevieve Blynn and Ed Price. Great trouble was experienced, it is said, filming the desert scenes of the picture, because of the excessive heat on the Arizona desert, near Yictorville, where the company went on location. The company acted with wet lettuce leaves in their hats to prevent sunstroke. William Russell Begins Ninth Feature for Fox William Russell has begun work on his ninth picture as a William Fox star at the West Coast studios. In this he has another of the romantic roles of the open West which have served him in recent Fox productions. "The Challenge of the Law," soon to be issued, is a tale of the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police and their* heroic endeavor to break up a notorious ring of fur smugglers. E. Lloyd Sheldon is author and Scott Dunlap is the director. Helen Ferguson is the leading woman. To Rebuild in Missouri MEXICO, MO.— Plans for rebuilding the Orpheum theatre have been com-, pleted and work on the structure will start immediately, according to receni announcement made by Peyton Camp bell. He expects to have the theatre open to the public not later than Janu ary 1. The new Orpheum will seat l,20i people and will have a solid marble front Plans October Opening CHILLICOTHE, MO.— Progress o the new Strand theatre is expected t make it possible to open it by the mid rile of October, according to Manage Cuff. lit ! 1 Jut 1^ 1 1 jr. IS ALBERT E.. SMITH ^Drese n ts TRUMPET ISLANC ATOM TERRISS PRODUCTION 1 JKom the Story by COUVERNEUR MORRIS & Gutedty LILLIAN and GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTEF i-^^K, ^ Vitagraph Super-Feature 1