Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

February 28, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 31 See New National League as Outgrowth of Boston Meet New England Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce Formed at Convention Held in Massachusetts — O’Leary Elected President of Organization {Special io Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, February 17. — For the past year it has been genei'ally understood by those who keep in close touch with exhibitor organization affairs that the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America would have a rival in the field, sponsored by the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce of New York. This was to be in the form of organizations in all the leading cities of the country, operating along the general lines of the T. O. C. C. and banded together into a national body by a central executive committee composed of one elected member from each of the divisional bodies. Plans Believed to Have Been Under Way Since Split Ever since the split up between the big four of exhibitor organization — Sydney S. Cohen, Charles F. O’Reilly, Sam Berman and Senator Walker — at the Washington convention of the M. P. T. O. A., it has been generally believed that plans have been quietly under way looking towards this end. Since then Mr. Cohen has retirecl from the presidency of the M. P. T. O. A. — being succeeded by M. J. O’Toole — but has still acted in an advisory capacity to such an extent that few credit his authority or power being less than it was when he was the titular head of the exhibitors organization. ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 17.— The limit in the way of patched film was received at the Lincoln theatre, Troy, N. Y., last week when "Al” Lemay, the operator, received a film that had broken and then the two ends instead of being patched, had been simply pinned together with a pin so large that it stopped the machine. Only a short time ago Mr. Lemay received a film with a gob of gum stuck on one end and which practically ruined the entire reel. Denies Express Is to Be Used Wholly in Shipping Films (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 17.— Walter W. Irwin, president of the Railway Express Film Transport Company, this week clears up one point which has been the basis of exhibitor opposition to the new centralized distribution plan. In a statement just issued he calls attention to the fact that theatre men may designate whether their prints are to be shipped by parcel post or by express. “It follows as a matter of course,” says a draft of the plan, “that shipments will be made either by express or parcel post, according to the convenience or preference of the individual exhibitor.” Mr. Irwin then continues : “Since the points raised appear to be restricted to the element of transportation cost, it is well to mention that in many cases the parcel post rates are higher than the express rates; so that the cost basis alone for the selection of transportation service by the exhibitor will work both ways, but this, as before remarked, lies wholly within the control of the exhibitors and not at all with the Railway Express Film Transport Company.” Schwalbe Is to Join Educational, Report (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 17.— Harry O. Schwalbe, secretary-treasurer of First National since its inception who recently resigned effective April 1, will at once join Educational in an important executive capacity. This has been learned on reliable authority although no official verification could be had at this time. T rain Kills Exhibitor (Special from J. W. A.) COZAD, Neb., Feb. 17.— His car stalling on tbe grade, crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad near here caused the instant death of J. S. Lewis, owner of the Lake theatre, Gothenburg, Neb. His body was carried 500 feet by the impact when a fast mail train struck his car. He is survived by a widow and several children. Protests Murray Film (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., Feb. 17.— Letters will be written to Mae Murray, and to her producing company protesting her appearance as “Circe, the Enchantress,” which was presented at the Apollo theatre here, by members of the Indorsers of Photoplays. These will urge that the actress not be featured in suggestive films in the future. O’Reilly succeeded William Brandt, organizer and first president of the T. O. C. C. Sam Berman was and still is with O’Reilly and this team has been joined by William Brandt, recognized as one of the most active hustlers in the exhibitor ranks. There have been many rumors of a settlement of the difficulties between this triumvirate and the Cohen forces, but these have never been borne out. The formation of an organization in Boston last week, which is to be known as the New England Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce, is taken generally to mean that the plan for a new national organization of exhibitors is about to be put into operation, with the New England body as the first step outside of New York. It is generally believed that between now and May when the M. P. T. O. A. holds its annual convention in Milwaukee, announcement will be made of a number of other Chambers of Commerce in various sections of the country. O’Leary Is Named President The Boston organization was effected early this month with permanent headquarters located at 40 Melrose street, with -Secretary E. J. Farrell in charge. The complete list of officers are; President — M. A. O’Leary, Inman Square theatre, Cambridge, Mass., and five vice presidents as follows: Walter Hartford, Imperial theatre, Pawtucket, K. I. Dave Adams, Auditorium theatre. Concord, N. H. Abe Goodside, Strand theatre, Portland, Me. Henry Levenson, Elm Amusement Company, lioston. Mass. Homer Graves, Globe theatre, St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Secretary — E. J. Farrell, Boston, Mass. Assistant Secretary — H. R. Williams, Supreme, Jamaica Plain, Mass. Treasurer — C. H. Williams, Franklin Park, Dorchester, Mass. Executive Committee — James Doyle, Broadway theatre. South Boston, Mass. ; Edward Fay, F'ay's theatre, Providence, R. I.; M. White, Orpheum theatre, Dover, N. H,; J. Emery, Star theatre. Bar Harbor, Me.; George Allen, Jr., Capitol theatre. New Bedford, Mass.; John Dineen, Modern theatre, Lawrence, Mass.; Vianni, Teele Square theatre, Somerville, Mass.; J. Donahue, Park theatre, Woonsocket, R. I.; Charles Bean, Jr., Pastime theatre, Franklin, N. H.; L. M. Boas, Newburyport Amusement Company, Boston, Mass., and E. M. Loew, Loew’s Amusement Company, Boston, Mass. Next Week: What Exhibitors Should Know About Production, by Rowland A series of articles, unique in motion picture trade journalism, will be published in “Exhibitors Herald,” beginning next week. These articles, written by Richard A. Rowland, general manager of First National, who has spent years in both the production and exhibition branches of the business, will convey to theatre men a knowledge of production which can be capitalized in the operation of their houses. Says Mr. Rowland in article No. 1: “The keen exhibitor who keeps one eye on production while keeping the other eye on his box office will find that there are many things entering into the making of pictures that will be of paramount help to him in selling his pictures. “How many exhibitors concern themselves with production? Isn’t it true that the average exhibitor knows but little of his pictures — the effort that was put into them by the producers, then exploitation possibilities — then appeal to his particular audience — until he books them.” Mr. Rowland takes these and other questions and dwells upon them in a constructive manner. There will be four articles in the series. The first of these articles by the general manager of First National will be published in next week’s issue of the “Herald.”