Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

46 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 4, 1922 Business Growth Necessitates Larger Hodkinson Offices Company Takes Eight Year Lease on Elaborate Quarters Formerly Occupied by Realart (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 24.— The steady growth of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation has made it necessary for the company to take over larger offices. On February 1, the company will transfer its headquarters to the former executive offices of Realart Pictures Corporation at 463 Fifth avenue. The lease signed gives the distributing organization possession of the former Realart offices for a period of eight years dating from February 1. The company has occupied its present headquarters in the Harriman National Bank building for four years. WW. Hodkinson Corporation was . organized and incorporated on October 31, 1917. In November of the same year executive offices were established on the third floor of the Harriman Bank building at 527 Fifth avenue. As a result of the continued expansion of the Hodkinson interests these quarters became too crowded and several months ago additional office space was taken on the fifth floor of the Guarantee Trust building at 522 Fifth avenue, where the accounting department and offices of the purchasing agent are located. * * * A few months ago, however, it was realized that even this additional amount of space did not afford sufficient working room for the rapidly expanding company, and with the establishment of the Hodkinson branches in November it became "apparent that larger quarters would have to be acquired at once. In order to relieve the situation temporarily several of the offices were sub MONEY Which Have Exhibitors to McCLURE & FAULKNER (Comique Theatre, Jamesport, Mo.) Here is how we exploited "The House of the Tolling Bell," a Pathe picture with May McAvoy. Borrowed a big dinner bell from the country ; rigged it up in an empty hall over the theatre, jnd every evening just about show time for four days prior to showing the picture, would toll the bell for fifteen minutes. Folks wanted to know who was dead. They could not locate it and they sure did some gossiping as to where and who was ringing the bell. divided. It was inevitable, however, that the company would be forced to move in a very short time. When the first announcement was published that the Realart offices were to be abandoned negotiations were immediately opened for their acquisition by Hodkinson. The arrangement for taking over the former Realart headquarters includes all office fixtures, desks, filing cabinets, and two of the latest type Simplex projectors. ♦ $ . ♦ The new Hodkinson home office will occupy the entire fourth floor of the building and for the first time since its incorporation will have its own projection room and sufficient space to accommodate the large staff of home office executives and employees without undue crowding. The individual private offices are among the most elaborately appointed of any motion picture home offices in the city. We also rigged up a ghost in behind the curtain and at the proper time in the picture we pulled the ropes. A lot of the kids just about jumped out of their hides. They sure thought the Old Boy was in behind the screen. The bell got them out and the picture pleased immensely. Try this once. By OSCAR TROYER (Lyric Theatre, Rugby, N. D.) I am giving away one flashlight electric doll lamp each evening. They cost me about $8 for the six I give away, and, believe me, they bring me more than $30 by the box office statement. Reformers After Sunday Closing in N. Y. Forestalled (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY, N. Y., Jan. 24.— Annually efforts are made by the Lord's Day Alliance to close the motion picture theatres on Sunday, and the reformers' plan was launched yesterday by Assemblyman Clarence W. Hausner, Republican, Schuyler county. Very promptly Speaker Machold caused it to be known that bills of that character would not be considered at this session, and that ended the matter. Assemblyman William Campbell of Schenectady introduced a measure making mandatory instead of permissive as at present the issuance of a permit by the motion picture censorship board for film intended solely for educational, charitable or religious purposes. Community Center Is Planned by Cameramen (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24.— Announcement is made that the American Society of Cinematographers has executed contracts for the creation of a motion picture community center. The cameramen will furnish five acres of ground and allot free building sites to a number of associations cooperating. They will erect a community theatre and an imposing entrance. Motion picture fraternity and community buildings are planned. May McAvoy Injured In Trip to New York (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 24.— Word has been received at the Paramount offices that May McAvoy and her mother, en route from the coast to New York, were badly shaken up in a railroad wreck at Trinidad, Colo. First reports were that the little star was badly injured, but the wire ' received by Paramount says her injuries are trifling. Smith in Chicago to Direct "Penrod" Show Pete Smith, publicity director for Marshall Neilan, is in Chicago arranging for the showing of "Penrod" at the Chicago theatre and the personal appearance of the star, Wesley "Freckles" Barry, in conjunction with the presentation. Reformers Trying to Revive Censorship Bill Chicago reformers are unusually active again in an effort to get a censorship ordinance through the city council. An attempt to have a censorship measure adopted failed about six or seven months ago. Mary and Doug. Buy Jesse Hampton Plant (Special to Exliibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24.— Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford have purchased the Jesse D. Hampton studio for $150,000. MAKING IDEAS Been Used Successfully by Build Up Their Patronage