Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

CHICAGO TRADE EVENTS League in Move for Coordinated Effort Abrahams Seeks Cooperation Between Small and Big Theatre Owners Sam Abrahams, vice president and acting chief executive of the Illinois Motion Picture Theatre Owners, has taken the first actual step to coordinate the efforts of big and small exhibitors in Chicago and the state. A luncheon was held at the Sherman hotel last week, at which time various theatre owners expressed their views and opinions on the subject. The general sentiment was for active participation in organization matters by the big exhibitors of Chicago, who heretofore have confined their efforts to matters pertaining to the Allied Amusement Association. Many Have Joined It is understood that Mr. Abrahams already has enrolled many of the big Chicago theatre men in the Illinois organization. Joe Hopp was toastmaster at last week's luncheon. Among the speakers were Maurice Choynski, John Silha, Glen Reynolds of De Kalb, Henry Newall, Ludwig Siegel, Sid Selig, W. D. Burford, J. B. Dibelka, Louis Frank and J. C. Miller of Woodstock. Mr. Abrahams announced that he had obtained the services of an attorney for the organization, and introduced Henry J. Brandt, who. will be legal advisor for the league. In a brief talk, Attorney Brandt stated that only through organization could the theatres receive the consideration of legislators. You Must Protect Self "Your business touches the public more intimately than does a public service corporation," he continued. "The latter is controlled by legislative bodies. That seems to be the irresistible desire of public officials. If you are to protect yourself you must be organized so you may receive consideration from legislators." Mr. Choynski urged the exhibitors to forget petty jealousies. "Don't always question every move the big fellow makes," he said. "Don't all try to be captains." Siegel Takes Exception Mr. Siegel took exception to references made by Mr. Choynski, declaring: "The little fellows would be in a pitiful condition today if it were not for organization. The dissatisfaction between the so-called little fellow and the so-called big fellow was because the little fellow was never called into meetings. Unless you give help to the little fellow vou'll never have an organization." Mr. Abrahams made a final plea for 100 per cent representation at all meetings and luncheons. It is possible that the luncheons will be regular features of the league's work. SAM ABRAHAMS launches movement to get the "big fellows'' into the state league. Two "U" Employes Guests at Banquet Alexander Becomes Manager at K. C. — Platzmann Goes Abroad Sixty employes of the Universal film exchange, Chicago, gave a farewell banquet for LeRoy W. Alexander and Alfred Platzmann, in the Crystal room of the Sherman hotel, on Friday evening. June 9. The occasion was the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Platzmann, who sail on June 21 for Europe, where Mr. Platzmann will assume his new duties as European auditor for Universal Film Manufacturing Company, and of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander for Kansas City, where Mr. Alexander will take charge of the Universal exchange. Following the banquet the officers and employes in short addresses wished the two popular Chicago boys bon voyage, and presented each with beautiful wardrobe trunks. Mr. Alexander also was presented with a handsome cowhide traveling bag. Louis Laemmle acted as toastmaster, and little Miss Alexander entertained the guests by giving an exhibition of toe dancing. Dancing followed the banquet. It was announced during the evening that George Levine, a former Chicago salesman for Universal, had been appointed short service sales manager in New York. Mr. Levine was transferred from Milwaukee to Manhattan. Balaban and Katz in Fight on Hot Weather Elaborate Advertising Wins Attendance Despite the First Warm Days Balaban & Katz, owners of the Chicago, Tivoli, Riviera and Central Park theatres, have launched a special advertising campaign in the Chicago newspapers to attract summer business, basing their messages to the public on their cooling system. The response was almost immediate and despite terrifically warm weather the early part of last week, they were "packing them in." The cooling systems live up to the promises in the advertising. The ads read as follows: We have invested a quarter of a million dollars in cooling plants for our four theatres to keep you cool and comfortable when the world is hot and humid. And the air we give you to breathe is no less pure, sweet and invigorating than the wine-like air which sweeps over mountain tops and fragrant meadows — the kind of air which thousands seek on vacation days. On hot days and nights when every move distresses you, and you seek in vain for a cooling breeze, the air in our four theatres is as cool as the first breath of Spring. The air is constantly changing. You breathe fresh, new air with every breath you draw. Our theatres are healthful Summer resorts. They are cool but never too cool. When you leave them you can't help feeling refreshed. A great many of the 17,000 theatres in this country close during the heated term. But ah Balaban & Katz theatres actually reach the peak of their business in June, July, August and September. It costs us $2,000 a week to maintain and oper ate our cooling and ventilating plants. It requires many experts. It involves the use ot more than 50 motors, ranging from 5 to 240 h. p., to wash, cool and dry the air we give you to breathe. Ours are the only theatre:, in Chicago which make this modern and scientific provision for your comfort. There is no such equipment in any theatre in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Paris, London, Berlin. Just think of it! Other Chicago theatres are making equally effective campaigns, although not on as large a scale. Chicago Film People Aid French "Good Will" Drive Chicago candidates for election to the Good Will delegation to France were introduced to Windy City movie fans by means of trailers which Watterson R. Rothacker gave to the drive for the reconstruction of devastated France. Miss Catherine Luoe, of the Chicago Paramount organization who is the Motion Picture Industry's candidate, was "starred" in the trailer, being the only fair campaigner for votes to have a closeup. Harry Rice, reformed film publicity man, who is now writing pieces for the papers on the Good Will campaign, "directed" the trailer and Verne Blakely turned the crank.