Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

March 8, 1924 EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 ^o <s2;-«^B?t-«/ Watch for the March ij Issue of the "Herald" Street Cars and Big Theatres Cooperate (Special to Exhibitors Herald) TORONTO. ONT., Feb. 26.— Something of an extraordinary arrangement has been effected at Toronto. Ontario, in an agreement drawn up between a dozen of the large downtown theatres of Toronto and the Toronto Transportation commission to facilitate the handling of crowds during the rush hours of the late afternoon and evening. Managers of the theatres have entered into an arrangement whereby matinee performances are held at hours that will enable all patrons to board street cars for outlying districts before 5 p. m. Hours arranged by practically all of the important theatres for the regular afternoon shows enable the performances to close at 4:30, the openings for deluxe programmes being around two o'clock. The theatres cooperated in making formal announcements regarding the schedule agreement by running, under a "For Your Convenience" heading an announcement telling of the agreement reached for their comfort and convenience and asking their cooperation. The theatres which have signed the agreement include the Hippodrome. Regent. Tivoli, Uptown, York. Pantages, Massey Music Hall. Shea's. Princess, Royal Alexandra, Loew's Yonge Street. Grand, Empire Theatre. Ruth Roland to Make Her Own Productions (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. Feb. 26.— Ruth Roland, motion picture star, and Tod Browning, director, have launched a new organization for the production of feature length photoplays in which the actress will be starred. The organization surrounding Miss Roland and Mr. Browning will be known as the Co-Artists Productions. Active preparations are already under way for the filming of the first picture, tentatively titled "Extravangance." which will be made under the direction of Browning at the F. B. O. Studios. While nothing of a definite nature is known about the cast, it is the stated purpose of the organization to secure only acknowledged artists for Miss Roland's initial venture into the feature field. Goldwyn Makes Change In Resident Managers (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NE\\ YORK, Feb. 26.— Goldwyn Cosmopolitan Distributing Corporation has announced the following changes in the personnel of its resident managers: H. W. Starrett. formerly of the Atlanta exchange, has been transferred to Detroit, succeeding H-rry Lorch resicm^d. W. J. Clark, manager in Charlotte. N. C, has succeeded Mr. Starrett in Atlanta. Rudolph Bercer has been sent from New York to take over Mr. Clark's post in Charlotte. Cohen and Directors Select Boston for 1924 Conclave Fund Raised for the Reorganization of Western Missouri Organization — Kansas Adopts Plan to Boost Attendance at Conclave (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, February 26. — Official announcement was made today by President Sydney S. Cohen, that the annual convention of the M. P. T. O. of America will be held this year in Boston during the latter part of May. This was decided upon at a meeting last week of the committee on convention comprising M. E. Crawford of Scranton, Pa., Glenn Harper of Los Angeles, Fred Seegert of Milwaukee, Wis., John Schwalm of Hamilton, O., Joseph W. Walsh of Hartford. Conn., R. F. Woodhall of Dover, N. J., and Mr. Cohen. Expects Canadian Representation at Sessions At a recent meeting of the executive committee of the M. P. T. O. of Massachusetts a resolution was adopted inviting the national organization to hold the meeting in Boston. This was supplemented by similar action on the part of the M. P. T. O. of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. It is expected by Mr. Cohen and his committee that the Boston convention will be attended by many exhibitors from the Canadian division of the M. P. T. O. of America. A meeting will be held later this week at which the committee will decide on the exact date of the convention, headquarters and other details. President Cohen is in receipt of an urgent invitation for hini to attend the convention of the M. P. T. O. of Ohio, which will be held at Columbus on March 6 and 7. He today announced that, according to his present plans, he will accept tlie invitation. Kansas Out After Increased Attendance especial to F.xhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO.. Feb. 26.— The M. P. T. O. Kansas has adopted a new plan to increase attendance at its semiannual convention in Emporia, April 1 and 2. A committee of nine exhibitors, geographically selected, has been appointed to write personal letters to exhibitors in their territory, urging them to attend the convention. This procedure will be in addition to the usual form letters sent out from M. P. T. O. K. headquarters and stickers posted on film boxes. The attendance goal for the convention this year is 200, according to C. E. Cook, business manager. The committee is composed of A. R. Zimmer, Liberty theatre. Marysville; W. H. Webber, Echo theatre. Great Bend; \V. J. Gabel, Grand theatre. Beloit; E. E. Frazier. Grand theatre, Pittsburg; Stanley M. Chambers, Miller theatre, Wichita; G. L, Hooper. Orpheum theatre. Topeka : E. E, Sprague. Lyric theatre, Goodland ; Harry McCIure. Strand theatre, Emporia ; M. G. Kirkman. Strand theatre. Hays, The road showing of feature pictures, which the trend of sentiment among Kansas exhibitors is against: the showing of film in schools and churches in opposition to theatres and legislative recommendations will be the principal issues at the convention, in addition to an annual election of officers. New York May Hold Meeting in Bu£Falo (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY. N. Y., Feb. 26.— It now looks as though the annual state convention of the M. P. T. O., of New York, would be held either during the last of April or the fore part of May. Although many of the exhibitors appear to favor Buffalo for the coming gathering, others are out for New York. Last year's convention was held in Syracuse, at a^ later late and with torrid weather prevailing. Western Missouri Gets Running Start (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., Feb. 26.— A fund for initial expenses and the preliminary organization of .the M. P. T. O. Western Missouri was accomplished at a special meeting Thursday in the Hotel Baltimore, Kansas Cit\'. of representative exhibitors of Western ^lissouri. The fund was not in subscriptions — it was in cash or checks. A committee composed of A. M. Eisner. Jay Means and A. F. Baker, all of Kansas City, was appointed to supervise arrangements for a convention to be held in Kansas City early in May. Mr. Baker was named as acting secretary-treasurer. Final incorporation and election of officers will be at the convention. Eight exhibitors, representing fourteen theatres, volunteered as delegates to visit or communicate with all exhibitors in Western Missouri, in effort to obtain a record attendance at the initial convention. Everybody's stepping out — March 29. T, N. T.