Film Index (Jan-Jul 1911)

4 THE FILM INDEX MANAGERS' CORNER Heart to Heart Talks with Motion Picture Exhibitors by One of Them Conducted by ARTHUR D. JACOBS INTRODUCTORY, t i A T a great banquet given in honor of a world-famous philanthropist and merchant prince in New York City the other day, at one of the most diversified assemblages that has ever been gathered together at one time to do honor to a distinguished guest, this gentleman arose and in the course of an address to the assemblage gathered before him, gave voice to the following expression, "The World is my Country; to do good, my Religion." "In accepting the invitation of the editor of The Film Index to edit or conduct a page for the benefit of moving picture theatre managers, the above-quoted expression shall be my inspiration; to do such good as I can to the exhibitors throughout the country, in giving them the benefit of not alone my experience as a practical exhibitor for a number of years, but also the experiences of a great many other exhibitors, both in New York City and out of town, with the knowledge gathered from my own experiences and that of other exhibitors, and if such knowledge be the means of either setting them on the right track or benefiting their business in any way by increasing their box office receipts. I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that my labors have not been in vain. It is certainly very commendable on the part of a recognized trade publication like the Film Index to employ such well-known authorities and specialists in their respective lines as J. H. Hallberg, Epes Winthrop Sargent (familiarly known to vaudeville lovers as 'Chicot'), Will C. Smith, and Clyde Martin as contributors to its pages and it is probably owing to this fact as much as any other that the Film Index is meeting with the success it deserves among the trade in general, with becoming modesty I feel it incumbent upon me to say that I feel highly honored to be in the company of such well-known contributors and I shall do my level best to prove myself worthy of the honor thus bestowed upon me." The foregoing is respectfully submitted as the preliminary announcement from Mr. Jacobs, revealing what he has in mind to do in this new department of The Film Index. There has long been need for information upon the subject of management. Where to find the man competent to write with the necessary experience to give weight to his statements has been no easy quest. Men with the proper qualifications usually have enough to do, and this has been the case with Mr. Jacobs until very recently, when he succeeded in placing his business upon a basis that would permit him to edit this department. That's how we came to get him. Barring accidents "Heart to Heart Talks" with managers will be a regular feature until further notice. Mr. Jacobs is a careful student of his business and is a successful manager of a picture theatre. He has also made a success of the business of preparing advertising for picture theatres. It's the successful men that we are all anxious to hear from. MR. ARTHUR D. JACOBS. whom it has been my privilege to come in daily contact for a considerable period; to glean such information as I can from exhibitors all over the country and to disseminate such knowledge for the benefit of the trade as a whole. In this connection I hereby extend a cordial invitation to my brother exhibitors to write me of their various experiences both as regards the conduct of their houses, what they found to have benefitted them and also, what .by experience, they have found has proved detrimental; what methods they have employed in advertising their business and what result such advertising has brought about. "What may be one man's remedy may be poison to another man; what might go well in one particular town or locality might prove disastrous if applied to a different neighborhood or section, and if in my series of articles I shall be enabled to impart to my brother exhibitors, CAN'T RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF PICTURE SHOWS. District Judge Greely W. Whitford, of Denver, Colo., handed down a decision a few days ago, to the effect that the fire and police board has no right to restrict the number of licenses for photoplay theatres in that city. Judge Whitford's declaration was made during the trial of the suit brought by Miss Lou Massenberg against I. Rude, whom she claims sold the lease of the household fixtures, motion picture machine and license of the Baker theatre. The plaintiff says the consideration was $3,500, which included the license fee of $1,000. She now declares that unless $1,000 for another license is paid, she will not be allowed to run the house, as the fire and police departments restrict the number of houses to twenty-three. The stand taken by Judge Whitford will probably lead to many picture men applying for licenses in the near future, as now the fire and police departments will be compelled to grant their request. WHEELAN RETIRES FROM EXCHANGE J. W. Riggins Made Pres. and Gen. Mgr. of Wheelan Film Co. of Dallas, Tex. Owing to the retirement of J. D. Wheelan, of Dallas, Texas, as president of the J. D. Wheelan Film Co., the directors and stockholders of the concern have elected J. W. Riggins, of Waco, a well knwn business man, as president and general manager of the concern. The J. D. Wheelan Film Co., is one of the best known film companies in the southwest, and with a paid up capital stock of $100,000, makes it one of the most enterprising and growing concerns of its kind. In securing Mr. Riggins, as its president and general manager, the concern congratulates itself at having secured one of the most popular and widely known business men in the Lone Star state. He has been identified with various business interests in Texas for the past thirty years. Besides being president of the Waco Commercial club for four years; originator and organizer of Texas Cotton Palace Exposition; president and manager of the Waco Trading Company and several other well known business enterprises, he has also been mayor of Waco. Mr. Riggins is a firm believer in motion pictures, both as an educator and an amusement, and there is no doubt that as president and general manager of the J. D. Wheelan Film Co., he will do much towards building up a larger and wider trade. In an interesting letter the J. D. Wheelan Film Co., made the following interesting statements to the trade: "In the near future we will have an exhibition room where we can throw any film on the canvas. This will also be a school of demonstration to instruct operators or owners of motion picture shows. Our information and observation is that !)0 per cent, of the trouble in getting a fine impression of the moving picture is the fault of the machine, and knowing how to handle it. We shall be glad to instruct yourself or your operator how to handle machines to the best advantage. "It shall be our pleasure from time to time to make any suggestions as to how to advertise and get business, giving you important data in the motion picture business. It is our determination to merit your patronage. We expect to do business upon a high plane of right at all times. We will be glad to answer any question or grant any assistance consistent with fair business dealing." TO BUILD PICTURE THEATRE IN PATERSON Plans for a new photoplay theatre have been ' submitted to the fire and police commissioners, of Paterson, N. J., rnd if the ideas of Alderman Joseph M. Daly are carried out the house will be erected at 298 Main street. Recently the Paterson councilmen have taken a dislike to the picture exhibitors and have been doing much to discourage them. If the manager of the proposed theatre is granted the permit to build, he will start immediately. It is estimated the new house will cost $16,000. FILMS FOR THIS CHURCH Declaring that the church is no longer a "gateway to heaven or the wall against hell," and that it is gradually becoming an educational institution, the Rev. Clark S. Thomas, pastor of the First Universalist Church, of Elgin, 111., has announced that he will open a motion picture show in his church. Stereopticon lectures, he states, are as much out of date as the old style preaching about fires of Hades, the moving picture being "the modern depicter." Mr. Thomas has already procured a motion picture machine and is arranging to have it installed in the church. He will conduct the shows as would a theatre, charging a nominal admission,