Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

February 21, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 Secrecy Surrounds Activity of New Booking Combine List of Fifty Members Withheld — Just What Attitude Film Exchanges Will Take Toward Wisconsin Organization Is Matter of Considerable Speculation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MILWAUKEE, WIS., Eebruary 10. — Eollowers of the motion picture situation in Wisconsin are watching with interest the progress of Badger Theatres Corporation, statewide booking combination, which is ready to begin functioning February 16. Just how the exchanges will receive the new organization is a matter of considerable speculation. Final details of organization were worked out at a mass meeting of members at the Maryland hotel here on February 5. Between forty and fifty exhibitors, many of them from points outside Milwaukee, attended. Hold Membership Roster Is of No Interest to Outsiders Although it has been expected that the membership role would be made public after the meeting, the officials decided to keep the matter secret, taking the stand that their organization is similar to a private business enterprise and therefore names of those connected with it should not be of interest to outsiders. Kansas Exhibitors to Support Campaign for Repeal of Censorship (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., Feb. 10.— The M. P. T. O. Kansas and Missouri no longer has the slightest doubt as to its attitude regarding the battle in Kansas to abolish the state censor board, as provided in a bill before the state legislature. C. C. Pettijohn, general counsel of the Motion Picture Producers’ & Distributors’ Association, attended to that at a meeting of the exhibitors here last week. Prior to Pettijohn’s talk sentiment among theatre owners was split, many fearing probably cijy censor boards which would follow in the wake of abolishing the state board. City Fixes $500 Fee to Keep Out Tent Shows (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10. — In an effort to prevent tent shows and carnivals from entering the city the counsel effected an ordinance recently which will impose a charge of $500 upon any such exhibition which stops here for one day if the seating reaches 8,000 persons. Three hundred dollars will be charged for each succeeding day. Various lesser charges will be fixed upon shows seating fewer persons in the proportion that the seating capacity diminishes. Drive Against Minors in T ableaux Nets Five (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MILWAUKEE, WIS., Feb. 10.— A drive against the employment of minors in tab shows recently resulted in the fining of one Milwaukee theatre man, one manager of a troupe and three mothers of children who were allowed to appear on the stage. Walter Schoen, of the Liberty theatre, is the exhibitor fined. He paid $10 and received a warning against such a practice in the future. The manager of the tab show is Edward J. Heibler. Other arrests will follow, it has been intimated. Eschman to Take Off **Sea Hawk” May 31 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 10. — Exhibitors who wish to play “The Sea Hawk,’’ must do so before May 31 or wait several months, according to a statement made by E. A. Eschman, distribution manager for Eirst National, who has decided that it will be taken out of service during the summer months. It is such a big money maker, he said, that it is deemed wise to keep houses from showing it in hot months when the full money value cannot be realized on it. Keystone M, P, T, O. Meet Slated for April (Special from H. IF. G.) PITTSBURGH, PA., Feb. 10.— The first annual convention of the M. P. T. O. of Western Pennsylvania, will be held at Washington, Pa., with headquarters at the George Washington hotel near the middle of April. Washington exhibitors are creating every possible means of interest to insure success. The Chamber of Commerce is cooperating heartily; in fact it was at the instigation of these business men that the selection of the place was made. Erb in Gotham on Business NEW YORK. — Ludwig G. B. Erb, who has been superintending production for Associated Arts Corporation at Hollywood, is hack in New York, where he is attending to important business matters. However, observers at the hotel noted that showmen from Rhinelander, Racine, Marshfield, New London, Beloit, Janesville, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and other points in the state, besides those from Milwaukee, were conspicuous in the lobby during the. day and it is therefore assumed that those places represent strongholds of the corporation. Because the idea of a Badger Theatre Corporation originated with J. H. Silliman, Fred Seegert, George Fischer, E. W. Van Norman and other leaders of the M. P. T. O., it is generally reported that the new enterprise obtains most of its support from cities where the theatre owners organization is strongest. No Representation Downtown As far as can be learned, the corporation still lacks representation among the large downtown Milwaukee houses. Whether it can fulfill its aim without such membership is the cause for considerable speculations, but those on the inside insist that the large downtown houses are unnecessary. Great secrecy surrounds the activities of the corporation leaders, the stand being taken that they represent a private enterprise which may be harmed by improper publicity. The announcement following the meeting of February 5 was merely to the effect that final details had been completed and four directors had been added to the seven originally named. The directors, with Max Wiesner, general manager, will direct the affairs of the combine. It is understood that it was pointed out to members again that a belief that the corporation would mean an immedi ate sharp reduction in the price of films was unsound. Rather, it was explained, the cooperative buying of films through the central office at Eleventh and Wells streets in Milwaukee would result, among other things, in a saving of time for the average exhibitor and eliminate the necessity of dealing individually with numerous salesmen. Can Select Bookings It is planned, it is said, to have Wiesner do all the buying according to requests made upon him by members. Thus, for example, if a certain exhibitor desires three First National pictures and two Warner Brothers, he will make known his desire to Wiesner and the general manager will carry on all the necessary negotiations. It is reported, however, that a certain amount of opposition may be expected from the larger exchanges because of the fear that the organization may become so powerful as to dictate prices. However, thus far none of them have announced a definite stand. Of the eleven directors in the organization, five are holders of the major offices and include: J. H. Silliman, president; George Fischer, first vice-president; E. Rice, second vice-president; E. W. Van Norman, secretary, and Ered Seegert, treasurer. The other two original directors are Charles Trampe, of the Rainbow and Climax theatres, Milwaukee; and Ernie Langemack, of the Colonial, Milwaukee. The four directors chosen at the massmeeting are: John Adler, Marshfield; E. Prinzen, Eond du Lac; Jack Hickey, New London, and E. E. Wolcott, Racine. Synchronized Illustrated-Song Reel Is Introduced at Chicago Playhouse A synchronized illustrated-song reel has just been placed on the market by Hagerman Film Novelty Company of Chicago, producer of the novelty. Its £rst presentation was given at Balaban <& Katz's Chicago theatre last week. Each verse of the song being played is superimposed very faintly upon outdoor scenes. The individual words of each verse brighten in synchrony with the melody as played by the organist. This is accomplished by means of a wire extending from the booth to the organ and is controlled by the organist. The novelty eliminates the confusion which the audience oftentimes has in associating music and words. Headquarters of the Hagerman organization are at 742 South Wabash, Chicago. Ben Beadell is general manager. It is the plan of the company, according to Mr. Beadell, to distribute its own product throughout the country. (Additional details are published in “The Theatre” department.)