Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

CHICAGO TRADE EVENTS Miss Du Pont Booked At Ascher's Theatre Universal Star Stops Over in Chicago En Route to New York Miss DuPont, Universal's pretty blonde star, stopped over between trains at the Chicago office of Universal on January 29. She is en route to New York where she will make personal appearances in connection with the Broadway showing of "Foolish Wives," the big Universal special production, at the Central theatre. Later Miss DuPont will appear at the Roosevelt theatre, Chicago, during the picture's run in that house. Supported Bessie Love Miss DuPont is a striking blonde with blue grey eyes and a most pleasing manner. She stated her first picture work was with Bessie Love in "Bonnie May." Erich Von Stroheim gave her her first important role in "Foolish Wives" and shortly thereafter she signed a contract to star in Universal five reelers. Miss DuPont was born in Kentucky but received her education at a Chicago girl's college and until about six years ago made her home in Chicago. She posed for several photographs for Melvin Sykes and held "open house" for the trade and newspaper representatives during her brief stay in the city. Mayo in Chicago Frank Mayo, who has just completed his latest Universal picture, "The Way Back," was another visitor in Chicago this week. Mr. Mayo stopped over on his way to New York to enjoy a brief vacation. He was accompanied by his wife, Dagmar Godowsky, and the couple stopped at the Hotel Chatham while here. Private Screening of "The Four Seasons" to Be Held on February 4 Ralph Simmons, manager of the local W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, announces that a private screening of "The Four Seasons" will be held at Aryan Grotto on Saturday, February 4, at 11 a. m. This showing is a postponement of the one which was to have been held at the Apollo theatre last week. "The Four Seasons," lauded by reviewers and educators, was conceived and directed by Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars, curator of the New York Zoological Society. It was produced by Charles Urban, president of Kincto Company of America. Sells for United Artists L. B. Carr, formerly Milwaukee manager for R-C, has joined United Artists as resident salesman in that city. SIDNEY J. GOLDMAN has been appointed Middle Western manager for American Releasing Corporation, the distributing company just launched by Fred B. Warren and Walter E. Greene. Mr. Goldman is one of the best known of the Mid West exchange men. Bedell Opens Beautiful New Bluebird Theatre At East Peoria, Illinois Salesman Denton of the local Universal staff reports the opening on January 28 of the beautiful Bluebird theatre at East Peoria, 111. The house was erected by C. W. Bedell and H. Stickelmaier. At the opening of the house the audience was addressed by Mayor Jesse Hall, who was followed by Father Fennen. Remarks also were made by S. A. Dennis, one of the prominent business men of the city, and William Schelm, owner of the property. The last speaker to address them was the Rev. Coleman, local minister. The building is of brick and concrete and equipped for indirect lighting. They have installed a mirror screen. The theatre is beautifully decorated in soft neutral tints and has a carefully arranged seating equipment to insure the patrons of the house extreme comfort. It has 500 scats. As the opening was quite an event, the house was beautifully decorated with flowers contributed by friends, and music was furnished by an excellent orchestra. East Peoria is rapidly becoming an important manufacturing center and is known as a progressive and enterprising little city of the Central West. Theatre Men After Cut in Film Rental Exchanges State They Can Consider Individual Cases Only A movement is on foot in Chicago to obtain a flat reduction in rental prices for exhibitors in this city and through the state. Members of the Chicago unit of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America are tht leaders in the movement. A closed meeting of a film rental committee comprised of a number of Chicago exhibitors was held at the Vitagraph projection room last Friday. At that time the proposition was discussed thoroughly. To Hold Another Meeting What action will finally be taken will be determined at a meeting of all Chicago theatre men on Tuesday of this week. It has been stated authoritatively that the F. I. L. M. Club of Chicago cannot act on a proposal for a flat reduction in prices as a body. The granting of reductions rests wholly with the individual branch managers. Managers Express Views A number of exchange men have stated that they will not consider the proposition of a flat reduction. They have indicated, however, that they are willing to treat with the individual theatre man. Friedman Buys Territory Rights to Russell Films Joe Friedman, president of Celebrated Players Film Corporation, has closed a $60,000 deal with W. D. Russell, of W. D. Russell Productions, Inc., whereby Celebrated acquires the right to Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin for the major portion of the Russell short subjects, as well as several of the larger features. The list included sixteen two-reel westerns starring Fritzi Ridgeway, nine two. reel westerns starring Frank Braidwood, five two-reel westerns starring George Larkin, twenty-two one-reel comedies, and six five-reel dramas featuring George Larkin and an all-star cast. "Shadows of Conscience," the sevenreel American classic produced by Russell F+oductions, Inc., starring Russell Simpson, will be booked in northern Illinois and Indiana by the Pioneer Film Corporation, and. in Wisconsin by the W P. Gaskcll Enterprises. Kay Bee to Distribute Neal Hart Productions Walter A. Baicr, manager of Kay Bee Distributing Corporation, Toy building, Milwaukee, has purchased the territorial rights on the new scries of Neal Hart productions from William Stcincr Productions. "Tangled Trails," the first publication, will have its Milwaukee presentation beginning on February 5.