Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Jun 1924)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 April 19, 1924 Favors Woodhull as National President New Jersey Chief Has Cohen Support, Say Those “In The Know” (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 8. — There is much speculation in exhibitor circles as to what will happen at the Boston Convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America when Sydney S. Cohen steps down and out from the presidency. So far the only announced candidacy is that of R. F. Woodhull, now president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey and high in the counsels of Mr. Cohen and the men who conducted the national organization. Is Admirer of Woodhull Few, familiar with the affairs of the M. P. T. O. A., believe that Mr. Cohen will not name his own successor. He is now and has been for several years past a great admirer of Mr; Woodhull and there is very little question but what Mr. Cohen would favor Mr. Woodhull and a generally expected belief that his favored attitude would mean the election of the New Jersey man. Mr. Woodhull’s candidacy was put forward at a meeting of the board of directors of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey held last week when this board went on record as favoring their state leader for the presidency of the national organization. Select Convention City In attendance at the meeting were R. F. Woodhull, president; Joseph M. Seider, chairman, and the following directors: Peter Adams, William Keegan, Henry P. Nelson, David J. Hennessey, Sidney Samuelson and Benjamin Schindler. The meeting was called primarily for the purpose of selecting a city in which to hold the New Jersey state convention. Several New Jersey cities were voted for the convention and Asbury Park was decided on. Plan to Establish Chain of First Run Theatres in Europe (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 8. — Formation of an organization to distribute American made films and to establish first run theatres on the order of New York’s Capitol and Strand in Germany, Central Europe, the Near East and eventually in Russia is revealed in word reaching New York. Ludwig Klitzsch, owner of a string of newspapers, magazines and news services in these countries and managing director of a hundred commercial enterprises, will be the executive head of the enterprise, incorporation papers for which are said to have been filed in Berlin two days ago. Announcement of the entry of one of Germany’s most powerful industrialists in the foreign film field was made by Charles S. Hervey, president of Hervey, Inc., which has been appointed American representative of the new organization. Mr. Hervey was formerly a Public Service Commissioner of New York and is now treasurer of Distinctive Pictures Corporation. Associated with Mr. Hervey in Hervey, Inc., is Charles Murray, who will be the representative in Berlin of Hervey, Inc., and who will act as contact with Mr. Klitzsch. Bigger, Better Box Office Record” Goes to Exhibitors Contributors Swell Volume to 25% Increase Over Preceding Edition — Mailed With This Issue of “Herald” The March 1924 edition of The Box Office Record was mailed to subscribers simultaneously with this issue of the Herald. In event of nondelivery within reasonable allowance of time for local distribution, subscribers should notify the Herald home office. “Record” Exceeds Former Editions This issue of the Record runs 132 pages, report contents showing an increase of 25 per cent over the largest preceding edition, the September 1923 number. This increase is directly due to the heightened activity of exhibitor contributors to the “What the Picture Did For Me” department of the Herald, which provided in the twelve months ending: with the March 29th issue a total of 31,801 reports. As formerly, the Record is sent In this issue of the Record is represented the active support of the Herald report department by 1,200 exhibitor subscriber contributors. The growth of this contributor body during the past year has been the outstanding development of the “What the Picture Did For Me” service. It has produced a booking guidance which is without precedent in the history of motion picture exhibition. Not only are there more pictures covered in the new edition as a result of this spread of the cooperative idea, but each picture is covered by a greater number of individual reports, representing a wider range of cities as to population and of theatres as to clientele and capacity. Service Intensified Another factor with bearing upon the thoroughness with which this issue of the Record covers the current market is the movement among contributors started some months ago by Alex Steel, a “Herald Only” Qub member, which has as its aim the submission of reports by exhibitors on each and all pictures played. Response to this suggestion has been general, with the result of completing adequate record of each attraction’s demonstrated fitness in the shortest possible space of time. In the short 1 subject division of the Record increase in the number of subjects included and the number of comments upon Says Public Must Support Good Films (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY, N. Y., AprU 8.— Declaring that the people of Schenectady were not supporting the best pictures after they had conducted an agitation for the same, William Shirley, manager of the State theatre in that city, came out with a newspaper advertisement last week that put the matter squarely up to the people themselves. In his advertisement, Mr. Shirley, said: “Are we to infer that you simply talk of better pictures? Must we believe that no matter how excellent are the pictures we show, you will not support them? Are we to take our lesson and merely offer you the usual run of program pictures? The answer lies with you.” to subscribers without extra charge. each is also notable, while short subject series are covered more fully than in any previous edition. Other Aids Included Among the additional services included in this issue of the Record, as in former ones, the “Available Attractions” section is imposing. Here is given full data on pictures not similarly represented in preceding issues, including names of stars and leading players, length of production, author, director, date of Herald review and first “What the Picture Did For Me” report, and brief description of story. This section provides a veritable mine of information invaluable in booking, advertising and exploitation. The “Better Theatres” issues of the Herald published since the preceding Box Office Record also are indexed for convenient reference and the information catalogue welcomed by readers as a feature of the September, 1923, Record is again supplied. to Make 10 Films Starring Jack Dempsey (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 8. — Jack Dempsey has been definitely signed to appear in Universal pictures, word received here from Carl Laemmle at Universal City states. Laemmle plans ten pictures starring Dempsey. They will be fast action stories to be written for Jack by Gerald Beaumont. Jesse Robbins has been selected to direct the Dempsey pictures. Eric Tollender, Theatre Man of St. Pauly Is Dead (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. PAUL, MINN., April 8.— Eric Tollender, manager of the Verdi theatre here, a suburban house, died last Friday. All St. Paul theatre managers attended the funeral services, which were held two days ago. Brockell Quits F. N. (Special to Exhibitors Herald) F. M. Brockell has resigned as manager of the New Jersey exchange of First National and his duties have been assumed by J. C. Vergesslich.