Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

CHICAGO TRADE EVENTS Alberts Gives Row New Film Exchange Establishes Headquarters at 728 South W abash— Has Complete Program Another sign of prosperity: Bert W. Alberts, prominently known in film circles from coast to coast, has opened the Majestic Film Company at 728 South Wabash avenue. Former F. & M. Manager. Mr. Alberts will handle a complete program of pictures, including features, novelties, educationals. serials, cartoons, travelogues, two-reel Westerns and one and two-reel comedies. He is by no means a newcomer to Chicago, having been general manager for Fitzpatrick & McElroy and an official with the Hodkinson organization. Is Prominently Known. Fifteen years ago he entered the motion picture industry, and during the time intervening he has been associated with General Film, Vitagraph, Goldwyn and the companies mentioned in the foregoing paragraph. In those fifteen years he has had an opportunity to meet film men and exhibitors in every section of the country, and is as prominently known in one territory as in another. "U" Has Special Screening J. J. Sampson, Salesmanager of Short products, Universal, gave a special screening at the Universal projection room. Friday, June 16, at 1:30. of a tworeel Century comedy, two-reel Western, and first episodes of "Perils of the Yukon." Refreshments and a fine musical program were part of the entertainment. A buffet luncheon will be served June 22 at 12:30 p. m., followed by a screening of "The Storm." Gunning Exchange Moves Among the changes in the local exchange circles last week was the closing of the Wid Gunning exchange, located over the Goldwyn offices, at 8th avenue and Wabash avenue. Hereafter the business of this concern will be conducted in the R-C Pictures exchange at South Wabash avenue. Rubens Back on July 1 L. M. Rubens, president of the Illinois Motion Picture Theatre Owners, who has been gallivanting around over Europe, expects to return home on July 1, according to a postcard received from him by William J. Sweeney of local headquarters. Mr. Rubens was in Paris at the time of mailing the card. Paul Hinz Joins Pathe BERT V/. ALBERTS who has opened Majestic Film Company in South Wabash. Pioneer Elgin Exhibitor Dies After Long Illness Charles T. Smith, pioneer exhibitor in Illinois, died last week at his home in Elgin following a long illness. At various times in his career. Mr. Smith operated the Globe, Lyric and Star theatres, all of Elgin. Later, he operated houses in Crystal Lake and McHenry. Mr. Smith, or "Smitty" as he was known by all his friends, is survived by his widow, Louise, and one son, Charles Dudley. Bijou Dream, Landmark, Gives Way to Drug Store The Bijou Dream, one of the oldest motion picture theatres in the country, is to close within a few days. A drugstore is to take its place on State street. The Bijou Dream was one of the first downtown houses in Chicago and for many years was the scene of the premiere of many pictures. Sig Faller has managed the playhouse throughout the entire period. Paul C. Hinz, former Chicago manager for Moving Picture World, has joined the Pathe sales organization, with headquarters at Boston. Baldwin Is Managing Milwaukee "U" Branch Ross J. Baldwin has been promoted from short subject manager to Universal branch manager at Milwaukee, succeeding George Levine, who has been transferred to New York. Anna Riskin, formerly head stenographer, will be Mr. Baldwin's assistant. Charles L. Casanave has been assigned manager of short subjects. Martin Optimistic Over Fall Business Goes to New York to Make Arrangements for Run of Arctic Film H. O. Martin, local Pathe manager, has been in New York making arrangements for the presentation here of the Pathe feature. "Nanook of the North." During his stay at the home office he issued this statement: Looks for Busy Fall "I am very optimistic oyer the future. The exhibitors in Chicago, as a whole, cannot complain of poor business even now. Building has increased 40 per cent, a sure sign of business improvement, and officials of manufacturing industries in the Middle West are looking forward to the busiest fall in years. "While in New York I enjoyed the pleasure of seeing 'Xanook of the North' at the Capitol theatre. The splendid presentation affected me greatly, and I have a number of ideas I wish to convey to the Chicago showmen on Mr. Rothafel's huge success with the photoplay. There is no doubt that the production is one of the biggest pictures of the year, or of next year, for that matter, as its human interest appeal is nothing short of marvelous. Exhibitors Enthusiastic. "Exhibitors in Chicago who have viewed the photoplay, were highly enthusiastic in their criticism and expect great things of it when they show it on their own screens. We are expecting to even outdo the Capitol presentation and I have a number of ideas of my own which I intend to put into play as soon as the final arrangements are made." "Herald" Staff Host to "Mac" at Farewell Dinner Joseph S. MacHenry, whose "Chicago Personalities by Mac" have won him a following throughout the trade, will be guest of the Herald staff Thursday night at a farewell dinner at Terrace Gardens* "Mac's" resignation from the advertising department of the Herald is effective Saturday, June 34. He departs immediately for Hudson. N. Y., for a brief vacation with his parents prior to establishing headquarters in New York. Flivvering to New York Walter Hyland, head of the Universal service department, together with Mrs. Hyland. Harry Igel and Mrs. Igel, left on Saturday, in Mr. Hyland's high-power Ford for New York city. The party took the southern route and will return via Buffalo and Niagara Falls, after spending a week on Broadway. Mr. Igel is combining business with pleasure and is going armed with a letter from Chief of Police Fitzmaurice, in case Mayor Hyland (no relation of Walter's) wants to know who they are.