The Film Daily (1924)

:^« brAdstreet ojT FILHOOM Authority XXIX No. 60 Wednesday, September 10, 1924 Price S Cents 1st RUNS By DANNY Their importance. Their anding. Undeniably a factor. , subsequent runs. And in lilding interest to a locality, hich causes many exhibitors -as well as distributors — to ke the wrong slant. There is I old saying : "If you haven't lit a first run — don't come ound." So much so that often les managers of "indepenitnt" (whatever that means) |l'oducers and distributors. Are mpelled to act as salesmen id book the first run. Before ey can sell the product in me territories. Joe Brandt wants to know (and he justified in wanting) why exhibrs, not identified with producing d distributing interests, will not us :ir neighborhood houses as first IS. In case — because of the tied up uation — the picture hasn't had a wntown first run. It's all right to <. this, Joseph. But you're going to ve a long wait. Before you get an elligent answer. You cannot blame Mr. Average Exhibitor. If he wants to capitalize the interest originally aroused, developed and sustained, by the picture which has had a downtown first run. The result from the newspaper advertising and publicity alone — much less exploitation — is a mighty important factor. Dn the other hand, for a certain )e of picture, there is no gainsaying It often a second run, or neighborod house (often the same thing) I profitably play these and do as II as with a mediocre picture that 5 had the benefit (?) of a downtown ;t run. The great difficulty is to ke Mr. Average Exhibitor see that, his, incidentally, is one of the mats we had in mind when we talked Dut the ever narrowing circle. A If days ago.) The Warners plan their own first runs. So you will notice. The last development of this hustling organization. And it looks like "Uncle Motley" Flint. Of Los Angeles. Is one {Continued on Page 2) 49 Cleveland Zones Territory in Ohio Rearranged— Expected to Bring Theaters Closer to Release Dates (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Cleveland— Exchanges here are now selling exhibitors in Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, under a zoning system outlined and operated by the Film Board of Trade. This plan, now in operation, was formulated by a joint committee of the Board and the Cleveland M. P. Exhibitors Ass'n. Although the latter has not ratified the plan as accepted, nevertheless, it is now in complete and full operation. In fact, it is said that all pictures sold in any of the above towns are sold only according to the zone plan. This plan is based primarily upon location. The geographical location of the house is the first consideration in classifying it. Then comes its seating capacity. Admission prices charged are also serious considerations. Oftentimes its a combination of location, seats, and prices charged, that gives a house its rating. Plan for the first run houses of Cleveland are as follows: ZONE A First run in Greater Cleveland has protection over all zones, with a (Continued on Page 4) Next Week At The Rialto-Rivoli Thomas Meighan, in "The Alaskan", will be the feature at the Rivoli next week. The Rialto will play "The Clean Heart." Grainger Enthused Declares He Never Found General Conditions Better— Back from Coast Trip "I've never seen the film I)usines.= in better condition," said James R Grainger yesterday, in commenting on his coast-to-coast trip. "The past summer has seen the exhibitors dc better than in many years past, and now, from the way they are booknig for the winter season, things look mighty fine." He spent several days at the studio and is most enthusiastic over the lineup of productions now under way there. Grainger closed contracts with West Coast Theatres. Inc., whereby "Yolanda," starring Marion Davies, will be exhibited in their entire chain. Contracts were also closed for the picture at the Roosevelt, Chicago; the Adams, Detroit; the Strand, Seattle and several other houses, for extended runs. To Fight Jersey Shows The Lord's Day Alliance of New Jersey plans to again fight Sunday shows. According to Rev. Frederick W. Johnson, secretary of the organization, ministers in Northern New Jersey are in accord with the Alliance's aims. Piccadilly Opens Sept. 26 Lee A. Ochs has definitely set the date for the opening' of the new Piccadilly as Sept. 26. The World Market UFA of Berlin Opens Offices Here — Felix Kallman Here — Some of the Productions Coming UFA of Berlin — the largest producing concern in Germany, and one of the largest of Europe, has opened offices in the State Theater Bldg., with F. Wynn-Jones in charge. Dr. Felix Kallman, chief executive of the UFA, is here aiding in starting the work of arranging for distribution and sale of UFA product in the States. Dr. Kallman said yesterday that the greatest of all UFA productions — "Siegfried" — based on the Ring of the Niebelungen, would be ready for showing soon. That it would be followed by the presentation of "Faust" and "Cinderella" and that other important UFA pictures would come along on a regular schedule. He pointed out that "Decameron Nights", which Herbert and Charles Wilcox are bringing here next week, was in reality a UFA picture, directed by Herbert Wilcox in the Berlin studio, with a cast including Lionel Barrymore, {Continued on Page 4) Richmount To Handle Rayart Abroad A deal has been consummated by Richmount Pictures and Rayart, for the former to distribute Rayart product in the foreign market. The deal includes two serials, 12 Westerns, 12 'Iramas and 12 specials. Buys 6 In Montreal Famous Players (Canadian) Now Controls 10 Houses There— 70 in All of Canada (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Montreal— Six theaters operated by Independent Amusements, Ltd., have been taken over by the Famous Players Canadian Corp. As a result of this transaction. Famous now pracficallv controls Montreal. The the3*ers involved are the Regent and Strand, downtown houses and four new suburban theaters the Plaza, Paoineau, Corona and Belmont. AH arc modern with the average capacity about 1.500 seats. Fa{Continued on Page 2) Many Sites Picked For Proposed Warner Theater Chai« — Harry Warner Eastbound on Financial Details ■"' •/> -^HE FILM DAILY) T Many sites on whict thf '.jid building theaterr to huuse their own product have been selected. Harry M. Warner has left for New York to confer there with Motley H. Flint and a number of Eastern financiers, relative to the details of this plan which will involve about $10,000,000. Before leaving. Warner declared the plan will include Beveral Canadiat cities as well as major points in the United States. He will leave for a tour of inspection, following conferences in New York. At present, the following cities aro included in the building program: San Francisco, Portland, Ore,^ Seattle, Denver, Omaha, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Milwaukee. Minneapolis, Cleveland, Boston, Atlanta, Memphis, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Dallas, Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Immediate construction will be arranged in several cities and. while Warner is in the East, a final decision will be made concerning a $1,000,000 house for New York: This has been under consideration for some time. (Continued on Page 4) 350th Performance of "Thief" "The Thief of Bagdad" celebrates its 3S0th performance at the Liberty tonight. Ad Club Warns Cites Paragon of Los Angeles in Bulletin — Company Reissuing Blackton Films (Special to THF FITM DAIT.Y^ Kansas City— The Better Business Bureau of the Associated Ad Clubs of the World cites Paragon Pictures Co. of Los Angeles in its latest bulletin which is circulated among its nuMiibcrs in this territory. The comnnnv nlans to sell reissues on a territririal basis. The bulletin says: "Incxncrienced persons lured hy the renorted profits in the movie business, ;t is believed, would find it very difficult to market their product in competition with the established film exchanges now in the field, backed by extensive advertising campaigns." Has Blackton Reissues (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Anceles — Paragon Pictures Co. (Continued on Page 2)