Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

©etEmbcr 29, 1923 xijibttorfi J^etalti 183 MIDDLE TOT EVEN15 INDIANA THEATRE FIRM'S TROUBLES BEING ADJUSTED Satisfactory Settlement Seen for Consolidated Company (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS. IND., Dec. 18.— Present indications point to a satisfactory settlement of the receivership of the Consolidated Rcaltj & Theatres Corporation, according to Fred A. Sims, receiver. Mr. Sims stated that all unnecessary overhead had been eliminated, with the result that virtually every property was making money. Some properties, it is understood, are doing better than had been expected. The lease on the Pantheon theatre at Vincennes, Ind., has been disposed of to its original owners. It is understood the property was not a desirable acquisition on the part of the Consolidated, and its disposal virtually amounts to preventing further loss. The properties at Evansville. Terre Haute, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, Clinton and in other cities are gradually getting on a paying basis. While no decision has been reached by the receiver and he would not discuss plans for the future, it is understood that when sufficient surplus has been accumulated to pay the creditors and the cost of the receivership, the stockholders will be called into a meeting at which time the question of what to do with the properties will be discussed. + * * A law and order league is to be formed at Marion, Ind., the tabernacle where the evangelistic services are being held, according to announcement made by the evangelist, Rev. E. J. Bulgin. It is expected that at least 500 will join the organization. The first matter to receive attention from the league will be Sunday shows. * + * The city council of Washington, Ind.. has directed John H. Spencer, city attorney, to draft an ordinance to prohibit Sunday theatrical and moving picture shows in Washington. The action was taken by the council under pressure of the Washington Ministerial Association and a committee representing the Protestant churches of the city. The ordinance is to be ready for passage at the council's meeting December 24. It is proposed that it provide a license for picture shows and theatres with a provision that the license be revoked in the event the holder gives a show on Sunday. * * * E. O. Allison, president, and H. L. Shipp, secretary-treasurer of the Hoosier Comedies Company. Indianapolis, reports that in the few months the company has operated three commercial pictures and five comedies and dramatic comedies have been completed. Work on several other productions is planned for the near future. Indepejtdent Exchange Opened in Chicago By Edward Grossman Edward Grossman, for years associated with AI Lichtman. has branched out on his own. by organizing the Epic Film Attractions at 808 South Wabash avenue, Chicago. He will distrii)Ute the Weiss Bros.' production "After Si.\ Days," and the series of eighteen single reel subjects entitled "Tense Moments from Famous Plays and Great Authors." Other pictures will shortly be announced. Grossman is well known in Chicago film circles, having been with Paramount and Preferred a number of years. He was one of the home office staff at Artcraft in 1916, and when that Organization was amalgamated with Paramount he came to Chicago as traveling auditor, later taking over the management of Associated Producers office in Denver. His last association with Lichtman was as special representative for Preferred Pictures. EXHIBITORS OF WEST MISSOURI TO REVIVE UNIT May Be Merged ]Vith M. P. T. O. Kansas City (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO.. Dec. 18.— A convention of the M. P. T. O. Western Missouri, to be held in Kansas City next month, according to President Charles Sears, promises to mark a figurative revival of the dead — or inactive, as it might better be termed. Since the division of the Missouri organization into an eastern and western half, the latter section of the state has been comparatively inactive, due to the strong growth of the Kansas City Division of the M. P. T. O. A., which has fought the l)attles of exhibitors. The date of the convention will be announced later. Of much importance will be the consolidation of the Western Missouri and Kansas City organizations. It is planned to merge the two bodies, according to A. M. Eisner, president of the Kansas City organization, providing sufficient co-operation is promised by exhibitors out in the state. At present there is a slide advertising deal pending between the Kansas City exhibitors and a large department store which, when completed, will asure the Kansas City organization of sufficient revenue to more than pay the expenses of operating and maintaining headquarters. This, combined with dues from exhibitors in Western Missouri, would constitute an organization of unusual financial strength, the presidents of both bodies believe. The repeal of the federal admission tax, the music tax and adverse legislation are other questions which will be brought before the convention. SKOURAS STAGES BENEFIT TO AID SCHOOL'S FUND Theatre at Neclyvillc, Mo., Is Destroyed by Fire (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO.. Dec. 18.— Christopher Columbus could not have foreseen w^licn he discovered America on October 12, 1492, that his fellow countrymen in this new found country nearly 431 years later would celebrate his find by showing the motion picture "Christopher Columbus" at three of the leading theatres of St. Louis. Rev. Father Caesar Spigardi. pastor of St. Charles Baromeo church and also of the Church of Our Lady, the Help of Christians Church, Tenth and Wash streets, the heart of the Italian colony in Central St. Louis has a large debt on his school conducted in conjunction with the latter parish. The members of the parish are not wealthy and have a hard time meeting current expenses of their little church and school. But Father Spigardi has some influential friends throughout the city including Spyros Skouras, head of Skouras Brothers Enterprises, owners of the Grand Central, West End Lyric and Capitol theatres. So Skouras arranged a benefit week to help Father Spigardi raise funds for his school which at present is not large enough for the demands upon it. The film "Christopher Columbus" will be featured during the week, while "Where The North Begins" and an interesting music program will conclude the bill The proceeds of all tickets sold by Father Spigardi and his workers go toward paying the debt on his school. Many prominent business men took blocks of jOO tickets to get the benefit shows going properly. * * * The Amuse theatre, Xeelyville, Mo., ow'ued liy Alex Eastwood was destroyed by fire on December 6. The fire resulted from an explosion of gasoline in the rear of a store conducted by Eastwood. With great difficulty the flames were prevented from spreading to the new Eastwood Hotel. The loss was placed at $16,000. * * * Sunday evening motion picture shows are to be conducted at the Episcopal church of the Holy Communion. Twentyeighth street and Washington avenue, St. Louis, from now until Christmas. The first show was held December 2. The films are to be of religious subjects and presented by the Rev. A. S. White, the pastor, as part of his Christmas preparation program. * * * Mike Nash, owner of the King Bee theatre, 1710 North Tefiferson avenue. St. Louis, is spending several thousand dollars in improvements to his show place. The plans include a one story re-inforced concrete addition 18 by 52. Harry W. Wagner is the contractor in charge.