Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

32 E X H I H I T <) R S HERALD September 23. 1922 Universal Establishing Exchange System in Europe Laemmle Says American Distribution Methods Will Save Continental Theatre Owners (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, September 12. — A comprehensive plan of expansion which includes the establishment of an exchange system in Europe is announced by President Carl Laemmle of Universal Film Manufacturing Company who has been in Europe for some time studying motion picture conditions in the various countries. hibitors back home, but I find them hampered by conditions over which they have no control. "The European exhibitor is just where the American showmen stood ten years ago. This is partly due to war stagnation and partly due to the present European distribution system. And it is my firm belief that if European motion picture men hope to bring conditions up to a par with American conditions, they must depend upon American capital, American co-operation and to a great extent upon American films, just as American exhibitors once pulled themselves out of a tough hole by depending upon European producers. "Remembering that it was European film that gave me my start in the motion picture business, and that I owe everything to the European motion picture men who helped me then, I am ready today to return that obligation, and I am pledging Universal support to the European exhibitor in the form of direct and economical service. I aim to make it possible for any European exhibitor to walk into a Universal exchange near his home and book any Universal picture at his own convenience." * * * L'niversal's European exchange system already is well under way, with branch exchanges opened in many leading continental cities. Mr. Laemmle is pursuing a policy The European after the company' tern. .Mr. Laemmle is Carl Laemmle sion," says Mr. I capital and aid is build and improve tion over here. system will be patterned > American exchange sys of the opinion that nothing less than American distribution methods will save the European exhibitor from his present warstunted status. "After four months of study of the European conditions, and after having met and talked with motion p i c t U r e men in most of the prominent cities of the Continent, I have come to the deciLaemmle, "that American needed to reestablish, rethe motion picture situa "I find the public of Europe just as alert and anxious to patronize motion pictures as the public in America, and I find the showmen of Europe just as brainy and capable of being first-class showmen, as the ex MAKING IDEAS Been Used Successfully by Build Up Their Patron age MONEY IV h ich Have Exhibitors to By J. J. FELDER, (Clinch theatre, Frost Proof, Fla.) 1 have had troucfle with a "weak night" and that night is Tuesday. I think I've done away witli it finally, however, by putting mi a pie-eating contest which surely draws them in. I've been running a country store but I find that a pie-eating contest or a guessing contest or something on that order brings them in. Another night 1 put on a nail-driving contest with three elderly women and gave prizes as follows: First prize, $2.50; second prize, $1.50 and third prize a free pass to the show for two weeks. I satisfy my patrons with box and First Na tional pictures and operate more economically by using these, which attract larger attendance. By OSCAR TROYER, (Lyric theatre, Rugby, N. D.) In putting over a "Movie Week" in this town of 1.900 population, I had a bunch ot tickets printed that took the whole family for all shows in "Movie Week." I had small girls about 14 and 15 years old sell them for me. They w ent to every house in town and believe me they sold a lot of them. I sold these family tickets for $1.25 each. It doesn't only get them out tor that week but it gets them back in the habit of coming again. It proved big for me. MARY PICKFORD and Forrest Robinson in a scene from "Tess of the Storm Country," her newest United Artists production. of home talent for his European exchange forces, as far as possible, each exchange being managed and manned by citizens of the country in which it is located. The European exchanges will be under the direct supervision of Universal's export department at 1600 Broadway, of which James V. Bryson is manager. Universal further plans to publish pictures in Europe practically at the same time as they are issued in America so they may benefit from the advance publicity in European trade and fan publications. Central Reverts Back To Shubert Operation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 12. — The Central theatre. Broadway and Forty-seventh street, which has been operated by Andrew J. Cobe during the last year as a motion picture theatre for the first run showing of Universal pictures, has closed its doors as a screen theatre. Its owners, the Shuberts. want it during the coming season for stage productions. Is Father of Twins i S fecial to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES, Sept. 12.— Two baby Kirls, twins, have been added to the household of Harry Beaumont. Metro director. One of them weighed s'x pounds, seven ounces, and the other tipped the scales at live pounds, eleven ounces. A Bright future is predicted for both by the proud lather, who, incidentally, is himself one of twins. Theatre Manager Dies 'Special to Exhibitors Herald) LITTLE ROCK, ARK.. Sept. 12.— Edward Kuttner, well known in the industry in the south, and manager of the Keinpncr theatre, died as a result of a hemorrhage sustained while fishing at a nearby lake. Mr. Kuttner was ">1 years old.