The Film Daily (1918)

tM^ DAILY Friday, September 6, 1918 Los Angeles Jottings Bill Parsons as a Host — Montgomery and Rock Finish Comedy By SAM H. COMLY LOS ANGELES.— Bill Parsons proved the other night that he is a as good a host as he is a comedian. Messieurs Jessen, Guy Price, Ike St. John, G. P. Harleman, Verne Hardin Porter and Sam Comly all testified to Bill's skill in staging stag dinners. May he live long and never grow thin. Montgomery and Rock have just finished their first Vitagraph two-reel comedy, entitled, "Ministers and Matrimony." We predict it will create a riot wherever shown. Roy A. McCray has -been appointed director for this company and is busily engaged producing these comedies, which are written by the stars, Montgomery and Rock. Roy Clements, one of the best known directors on the west coast, formerly of Universal and Dustin Farnum's company, has been engaged by Production Manager O. L. Sellers, of Triangle, to direct Belle Bennett at their' Culver City studio. Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran are still turning out their Jazz comedies at the Universal studio. Since directing themselves a great improvement has been noticed in the boys' work. The comedies are now being shown in many first-class houses in Los Angeles. R. William Neil, the director of the Ince studios, has joined the ranks of the Benedicts. Miss Betty McClagan is the person who from hence on is star in the Neil household. Here's wishing them all happiness. Bryant Washburn, under the direction of Walter Edwards, is rapidly finishing at Morosco studio his production of the stage play, "The Gypsy Trail." Mr. Washburn's first appearance with the Paramount-Artcraft will be in the featured role of C. B. deMille's latest special production. It is the first time that one player has been featured above another in a deMille special. Donovan With Vitagraph Frank P. Donovan, who was until recently directing comedies for the Diamond Comedy Company of New Orleans, La., has joined the Vitagraph staff at the Brooklyn studio. Donovan is directing two-reel comedies released under the Big V label. He is at work on "The Amateur Champion." In the cast are Walter Hall, Pearl Shepard, George Humbert, Florence Curtis and Don Barclay. Via Western Union August 23, 1915. Wid Gunning, 71 W. 44th St., New York. Our organization not complete without Daily. Monday's copy not received. Rush! Sisk and James. Cherokee, Iowa, Ten Years' Lease Two Theatres Go to Syndicate at High Rental CHICAGO.— Harry C. Moir, president of the Morrison Hotel Company, has leased the Rose theatre, 63 West Madison street, and the Alcazar, 69 West Madison street, to a syndicate of motion picture operators, each for a term of ten years from May 1, 1919, at an aggregate rental of $200,000 for the Rose and $250,000 for the Alcazar. The new lessees will spend upwards of $100,000, it is said, remodeling the two houses. The combined seating capacity of both houses is about 700. They are located in the building just east of the Morrison Hotel, one of the busiest sections of the city. The hotel company still retains the Boston theatre on Clark street. Harry Miller is manager of all three houses. Koppel Manages Riviera CHICAGO.— J. B. Koppel has been appointed manager of the beautiful new Balaban & Katz theatre, the Riviera, located at Broadway and Lawrence avenue. Mr. Koppel is one of the oldest managers in Chicago, having presided over the destinies of Finn & Ryman's North Shore theatre for several years, leaving that position to open the Calo theatre for the Ascher brothers in 1915. Mr. Koppel also opened the Adephi for the latter firm and under his management its patronage grew to surprising proportions. He enters upon his new work with the best wishes of his former employers. Brady Back From Chicago William A. Brady returned from Chicago yesterday morning. He was in conference with Lee Shubert several hours, but refused to make any statement whatever regarding the Chicago Convention or anything else pertaining to the well-known M. P. industry. For Closer Unions Representatives of Ten Exchanges Form Organization INDIANAPOLIS— Representatives of ( ten motion picture exchanges in Indianapolis, at a meeting last week at the Chamber of Commerce, formed an organization known as the Board of Motion Picture Exchange Managers. The new organization was perfected with a view of furthering the interests of the exchange men by a mutual exchange of ideas. The officers are: President, J. G. Connor, of the Mutual; vice-president, H. M. White, of the World; secretary, R. G. Brusch, of the Chamber of Commerce, and treasurer, Floyd Brown, of H. Lieber & Company. The board plans to co-operate with similar organizations in some of the other large cities. Arrow Film Sales Arrow Film Corp. has sold the rights to "The Huns Within Our Gates" for six southern states to the Criterion Film Service in Atlanta, the New England territory having been disposed of to R. D. Marson Attractions of Boston. "Her Aviator" has been sold to the Day Film Corp. for western Pennsylvania and West Virginia and to the Sipe Film Co. of Atlanta for the southern territory. Thomas Toby has secured "The Finger of Justice" for New Jersey. Retires From Committee At the luncheon of the A. M. P. A. held yesterday at Rector's, Arthur James of the Metro tendered his resignation as a member of the Banquet Committee because of pressing military duties. He will leave with the Machine Battalion of the 7th Regiment on a training trip and therefore will be unable to attend to his duties as a member of the committee. Charles Barrell was appointed to replace him. The committee will hold an important meeting the first part of next week with William A. Brady present.