Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

February 11, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 87 CHICAGO PERSONALITIES | David Horsley was in our midst last week visiting the independent exchange men with several live state right offerings. * * * Just heard the "Secret Four" terminated a most decisive walloping to the Paramount bowling squad the other night with a final tally of 1,830 to 1,741. The "Secret Four" have been so puffed up about it since that the Universal exchange is too small for 'em. Cmon you Paramcunters, up at 'em for a return match, say we! After March 1, C. E. Morton will relinquish his leasehold of the Opera House, Mt. Carroll, 111., to the Community Motion Picture Co., who will continue operating this popular theatre. * * » If Gumbiner Bros, keep on picking off Chi's popular theatres, their "chain" will soon rival the great Atlantic cable for length. Yep, just took over another last week. Henceforth the Vista theatre, 47th street and the 'Grove, will fly the Gumbiner standard. * * * Mrs. Tom Taylor (nee Gunther) and her husband dropped in on their good friend, Ralph Simmons, the other day en route to Kansas City from New York. Tom formerly was a member of Ralph's star sales squad at the K. C. branch, but is now blossomed out in the role of producer-distributor magnate, making his executive quarters at the Gold Seal Film Corp., Kansas City. * * « Talkin' about big changes along the Row. We all miss that "cute young thing," that F. L. Drumm, office manager of the local Hodkinson exchange, has been striving so valiantly to raise. Y'know the moustache. The barber informed us at least a dozen hairs left the upper lip after considerable persuasion and much honing of the razor. + * * Charlie Miller, former Universal film representative, is now associated with the local R-C Pictures exchange and will call on the local field. Best o' luck, Charlie, old top! * * * Ed Silton, manager of the local Pioneer exchange, tells us he has just closed with Bob Lucas for set-ins on their big feature, "Shadows of Conscience," for the Harry Gramp circuit and Dee Robinson houses. With Sig Friedlob and D. A. Kohn covering the country towns, looks like this live exchange is about hitting one hundred per cent. By Mac PAY FOR THEMSELVES They add dignity to your theatre and bring money to your box office. IRVING MACK & CO. 8O8 S. WABASH AVE. CH I C AGO Henri Ellmax heaves us a good one on exhibitor altruism. It seems this modest and quiet youngster of the local Reelcraft exchange was on the North Side calling on the trade and while in one of the neighborhood houses his attention was attracted by the sonorous voice of the manager perched upon the stage addressing his audience somewhat like this : "My good friends, I want your patronage. I don't ever intend charging you eighty-nine cents like some theatres I know, nor do I want to raise the admission price I now ask, seventeen cents. But listen carefully, next week — you shall see one of the greatest filums what was ever shown, and I shall expect you to pay thirty-four cents admission." You'll have to see Ellman, he wouldn't give us the name of this charitable magnate. * * * Dave Dlbin of the local Educational exchange and Harry Phillips of First National are said to be taking boxing lessons with one of the well known local pugs. Both lads just bought a pair of Dents' mocha gloves and understand the mill is to be pulled for the fly-weight championship of the Row. » * * Somebody told us that Del Goodman of the United Artists has blossomed out with a motor equipage of some sort. From a distance, reminds us much of a Scripps coupe. * * * H. A. Berling has just opened the New Lyric theatre. Rock Falls, 111. This is the only theatre now operating in this town, the other two being taken over by Manager Berling and closed. * * * Harry W'eiss of Superior Screen, tells us that party given by S. Decker and R. H. Fox at the Seneca hotel, Peoria, 111., to the visiting film men was a K. O. Among those present were Harry, J. N. Howland of First National and Julius Getzem of Celebrated Players. Harry further tells us his last trip was a clean-up, closing every town visited. * * * With January 31 almost here, it looks like Ben Weissenbach has the cash bonus for sales total for the month now in his pocket, so all in all Superior Screen seems to be stepping out a few. » * * Sid Goldman is all smiles again. Tells us his new affiliation, manager of the local branch of the American Releasing Corporation, becomes effective Feb. 6. Thata boy, Sid, glad to hear it! ! * * * "Bill" Hershberg, sales representative for the Celebrated Players, is reported to have just taken over the Orchard theatre, 659 North avenue, formerly owned by Sam Levin. * * * Al Hoffman has joined the Superior Screen, as North Side salesman, having recently severed relations with the Gumbiners Theatrical enterprise as manager of the Paulina theatre. * * * Pete Smith, press agent for Marshall Neilan, who hove into town last week to put over Wesley Barry and Neilan's latest production, "Penrod," staged a little party at the Sherman Hotel on Tuesday night for the local press hounds and advertising men which was much enjoyed. Pete's long association with newspaper folks ably fits him JACK WILLIAMS of Mid-West Theatre Supply Company has leased spacious quarters at 802 South Wabash where he will establish one of the finest equipment display and sales rooms in this territory. as host where convivial guests are wont to gather. Yes, a good time was had by all. * * * Ralph T. Kettering, who, besides handling the advertising and press matter for Jones, Linick & Schaefe'r, dashes out melodramas for the stage, left last Friday night for Toronto, Canada, where he closed a deal for his latest opus. * * * M. J. 'Weil of the Castle theatre, is all swelled up over his theatre's new marquee. It looks fine, M. J., and stands out like a million-dollar diamond in a Woolworth store. * * * The way the crowds whoop 'er up for that "Round One" of "The Leather Pushers" series at the Roosevelt theatre all last week, it looks as though Universal has a real hit. The snappy music, too, helped put it over. Children in Six High Schools Spend $920 Weekly on Pictures A survey just completed by Mrs. Estelle L. Moulton, former chairman of the better films committee of the Illinois Council of the Parent-Teachers Association, shows that the boys and girls in six Chicago high schools spend $920 a week, or $46,000 a year, on motion picture shows. Of the 3.000 children questioned, 87 per cent attend picture entertainments from one to seven times a week. In some instances children declared they attended nine performances a week. The survey further showed that the 275 pupils having the highest grades in their studies used 393 tickets a week, whereas the 275 pupils with lowest marks used 503 tickets a week. Many of the pupils indicated a liking for pictures with "guns and police wagons." The Child oPthe Bear