Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

February 25, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 47 Paramount Pays $5,000,000 For Aliens Canadian Houses Deal Adds Ninety Theatres to Company's Chain and Gives Famous Players Control of Industry in the Dominion What is considered the greatest theatre transaction ever consummated in the Dominion is the purchase of the Canadian interests of Allen Theatres, Ltd., bv Famous Players Canadian Corporation. Between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000 is involved in the deal. Under the terms of the merger it is understood that approximately ninety theatres owned, controlled or booked by the Aliens are effected, giving Famous complete control of the motion picture industry in the Dominion. Zukor Not Advised of Details of Deal When interviewed in New York Adolph Zukor, president of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, stated that he knew nothing of the details of the merger, explaining that the American company and the Canadian company are entirely independent of each other, the only connection being a few interlocking directors. 3000 Participate in Motion Picture Ball M. P. T. 0. of New Hampshire Sponsors Affair — Governor Is Among Speakers (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MANCHESTER, N. H., Feb. 14.— More than 3,000 persons, including Governor Albert O. Brown of New Hampshire and numerous other prominent officials were present at the annual motion picture ball here, given under the auspices of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Hampshire. Stars and representatives of producing companies helped make the occasion a highly successful one and a boon to the industry as a whole. Sees Influence for Good Governor Brown, accompanied by Senator C. H. Bean, who is also president ot the M. P. T. O. of New Hampshire, in the opening speech ,of the evening stated that he saw in motion pictures a great influence for good and education. Mayor George E. Trudel also welcomed the stars and praised the industry. The screen stars present were May MacAvoy, Diana Allen, Hope Hampton, Bert Lytell and Frank Mayo. Each contributed to the entertainment of the affair with speeches. In addition to rendering several solos Miss Hampton, escorted by Governor Brown lead the grand march. Creates Good Feeling Among the companies represented were Famous Players-Lasky, Metro, Goldwyn, Federated Film, and American Feature. The ball was regarded as highly successful not only from an entertainment standpoint but for the feeling of goodwill aroused towards the industry and the increasing interest in pictures it has created here. War Contract Refund By Eastman Company Wins Official Praise (Washington Bureau, Exhibitors Herald) WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 14.— George Eastman, president of Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., has 'returned to the war department $182,770 as a refund to the government on war-time contracts. The action was voluntary on the part of the company. Representatives of the company, it is said, stated that it has made no profit on its contracts. Mr. Eastman's move was highly commended by General Pershing, who, upon receipt of the check, expressed his "high appreciation of this fine and patriotic action. "Such a wholesome and generous attitude might well be expected during war times," the letter stated, "but with the lapse of three years since the armistice it is truly refreshing and inspiring to find such motives and high ideals animating a large business organization in its relation with tne government." Cuts Admission Price (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., Feb. 14.— Gus Diefendald, proprietor of the Monroe theatre, on Chippewa street, has cut his general admission price to 5 cents. The house has been diawing very well since the reduction was made. The Monroe formerly charged 10 and 17 cents. Other officials at the New York headquarters of the organization declared that they had no knowledge of how many theatres were involved and knew nothing of the deal other than the newspaper reports. Approved by Directors The deal has been approved by the directors of both companies and will be submitted to the shareholders shortly. A check covering the initial payment of $1,250,000 has been deposited in a Montreal bank as the first payment. In acquiring the Allen theatres it is understood that Famous Players also obtains First National franchises for a number of theatres. The Aliens, Jule and J. J., will continue to distribute the Goldwyn, Educational and other products through the six branches of Famous Players Film Service, Ltd. Erect Allen Theatre In this country the Aliens erected the Allen theatre at Cleveland which is under the managing directorship of S. Barret McCormick. This was to have been the WALLACE REID in "The World's Champion" a new Paramount picture directed by Phillip E. Rosen. first of a chain of houses in the United States. Plans for the circuit, however, never materialized. The Aliens are pioneers in the theatrical business in Canada, having started in the picture business there some fourteen years ago. Within the past few years their expansion has been rapid, their plans at one time calling for the erection of a large theatre in London. Endorse Sacks to Succeed Will Hays Exhibitors and Exchange Men Forward Telegrams to Harding (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., Feb. 14.— The St. Louis F. I. L. M. Club and the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of St. Louis have adopted resolutions endorsing Williams Sacks, St. Louis banker, for appointment as postmaster general to succeed Will H. Hays, who will head a new association of producers and distributors. Sacks, a former postal clerk, is well thought of by local film interests and is a warm personal friend of Adolph Zukor, Lewis T. Selznick and other prominent men of the film world. Telegrams of endorsement were forwarded to President Harding and Attorney-General Daugherty by both organizations. One of the resolutions said in part: "Resolved, that William Sacks is hereby endorsed for the position of postmastergeneral of the United States in the cabinet of President Harding by reason of his ability and fitness for the position and also by reason of his sterling qualities and integrity and standing as a citizen of the city of St. Louis." Two Men in Industry Are Called by Death (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 14— William Bela Flower, motion picture director, is dead following injuries sustained in an elevator accident at his studio in Glendale, N. Y. Alessandro Fabbri, a pioneer in the use of motion pictures for scientific research, succumbed to pneumonia following a brief illness.