Associated First National Franchise (1921)

4 First National Franchise Semi-Monthly rrMan~ Woman -Marriage77 Opens in Paterson Theatre |T\OROTHY PHILLIPS in "Man-WomanMarriage" opened for the first time to the public at the Regent Theatre, Paterson, N. J., January 24 and registered a distinct success. Jacob Fabian, president of Associated First National Pictures of New Jersey, Inc., made the premiere a memorable one. In the audience were State and City officials and leaders of women's clubs. Many picture people also attended, as did home office executives of First National and a number of eastern franchise holders. Much praise was heard for the advertising and presentation facilities supplied by First National to enable exhibitors to impress their communities with the character of "ManWoman-Marriage." Among these aids is the series of posters designed by M. Leone Bracker, whose war posters made him known throughout the country. This is a point which should prove profitable to exhibitors in exploiting the drama-eternal, as it lends a chance for newspaper stories carrying unusual interest. Mr. Bracker has created seven distinct posters for "Man-Woman-Marriage," including two one-sheets, two three-sheets, two six-sheets and one twenty-four-sheet. Besides the posters, a music score has been compiled. The Regent Theatre has a seating capacity of 2400 persons, and presented "Man-WomanMarriage" for a full week. Levy-Kieler Interests Form Affiliation with M. Switow Col. Fred Levy, holder of the Associated First National Franchise for Kentucky, and Leo Keiler, of Paducah, who control a chain of nineteen theatres in Kentucky through the Strand Amusement Company, have completed negotiations for an affiliation with M. Switow in the ownership of three theatres in Louisville. Included in the deal is the new $200,000 theatre erected by Mr. Switow on Fourth Street, between Chestnut and Broadway, directly across the street from the new million dollar Rialto. The Parkland and another neighborhood house are the others which will be affiliated with the Strand chain. The other theatres owned by Mr. Switow — two in Jeffersonville, three in New Albany, one in Bedford, Ind., and one in Salem, Ind. — are not included in the deal. Among the properties operated by the Strand Company are four theatres in Louisville, in addition to the three secured through the Switow alliance, four in Paducah, three in Mayfield, three in Owensboro, one in Irvine and one in Princeton. X/hen /1*n Fought !yfem*n* fought Womin\ *V ^ ALLEN 'l-oLlBAPS MAN ^k^AN-MARRIAGE' DOROTWY^PUILLIPS One of the Posters, a Six-Sheet, Mentioned in the Box on Page 3. It Is a Distinct Advance in Motion Picture Advertising, According to Experts. Herbert Brenon Joins Joseph M. Schenck To Direct Herbert Brenon, the director, has been engaged under a contract by Joseph M. Schenck to supervise the Norma Talmadge productions for Associated First National, and direct them personally. Mr. Brenon's direction of "The Passion Flower," scheduled for release shortly, is said to be responsible for the contract. Of the director Mr. Schenck said: "I consider Herbert Brenon a great artist in his line of work, a director who stands for infinite technical detail, as well as real inspiration. The co-operation of a star like Norma Talmadge, with a director of Mr. Brenon's reputation and attainments, should be a great incentive to both of them to turn out the very best work of their respective careers." According to present plans, "The Passion Flower" is to be released February 21 instead of the production made under the working title of "On Principle." In case the attraction is not ready at the February date, release will be made early in March. "The Passion Flower" is a drama of Spanish life, from Jacinto Benevente's drama. Missouri Organization Perfected Associated First National Pictures of Missouri perfected its organization at a meeting of the membership on January 6, by the election of officers and a Board of Directors. Spyros P. Skouras of St. Louis was elected president, Frank L. Newman of Kansas City, vice-president; Lee Rassieur, Jr., of St. Louis, secretary and Charles P. Skouras of St. Louis, treasurer. The Messrs. Skouras and Mr. Newman were also elected directors in addition to J. F. Truitt of Sedalia; A. F. Baker of Kansas City; Ferd Warner of St. Louis; Eugene Frcund of St. Louis; Joseph Mogler of St. Louis, and Lee Jones of Marshall. It was decided to hold regular monthly meetings of the Board of Directors for the purpose of discussing the affairs of the local company so that the Board may at all times be thoroughly acquainted with conditions peculiar to the territory which may have a value to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the national association. Auditorium Opens in Stillwater, Minn. Arthur A. Perkins and "Jack" Martin opened the Auditorium in Stillwater, Minn., on January 5 as a high class motion picture theatre. Only selected films, including First National, will be shown there. "Happy Jack" Martin has for several years been interested in pictures in Minneapolis, where he operated the Lyndale Theatre, recently sold to Finkelstein and Ruben. Mr. Martin will remain in Minneapolis for the purpose of choosing films for the Auditorium, and none will be booked until he has put his stamp of approval upon it. Mr. Perkins will devote his time to managing the house. "Passion" Scores Again Fox's Academy of Music, in Fourteenth street. New York, under the management of Mr. David, presented Pola Negri in "Passion" the week of January 10, reporting that the attraction proved as great a drawing card there as it was at the Capitol, further uptown. Fully Organized for First National In Northwest THE election of an Exhibitor's Advisory Committee, the assurance of 100% membership this month and a number of important resolutions on matters pertaining to the welfare of the industry as a whole, were the outstanding features of the meeting of Associated First National sub-franchise holders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota in Minneapolis. With these achievements, the organization of Associated First National Pictures, Inc., in the northwest may be considered an accomplished fact. More than 100 sub-franchise hplders met at the West Hotel, Minneapolis, for a twoday session at the call of J. F. Cubberley Manager of the Minneapolis First National Exchange. Among the measures advocated were: Hiring of an expert on motion pictures to give an impartial review of pictures other than those of First National to guide franchise holders in judging values. Completion of one hundred percent First National franchise holders by February 1st. Lending of the screens of northwest exhibitors free to every public enterprise to foster good-will among business men and to promote community welfare. Exploiting to the furthermost of every First National picture susceptible of novel advertising. Observance of strict ethics in conducting their houses. Offering cooperation to President William A. Steffes of the United Theatrical Protective League in obtaining full membership for that organization in the northwest. Working in closer harmony with the exchange in helping to realize the greatest possible benefit from pictures run in their houses. Guaranteeing their support to the Herbert' Hoover movement for the relief of devastated Europe. Mr. Cubberley presided over the meetings, which were conducted in the Colonial room of the West Hotel. In the evening, the exhibitors were the guests of the Minneapolis First National Exchange at a banquet in the same room. The following were elected members of the advisory committee: F. A. Rickstein, Majestic Theatre, Beloit, Wis.; J. P. Adler, Adler Theatre, Marshfield, Wis.; Tony Foster, Star Theatre, Stanley, Wis.; Louis Nahin, Rainbow Theatre, Milwaukee, Wis.; Clyde Hitchcock, Princess Theatre, Minneapolis; V. B. Valleau, Broadway Theatre, Albert Lea, Minn.; S. G. Latta, Fergus Pictures Corporation, Fergus Falls, Minn.; A. J. Kavanagh, New Grand Theatre, Grand Forks, N. D.; Archie Miller, Grand Theatre, Devils Lake, N. D.; J. A. Dundas, Strand Theatre, Sioux Falls, S. D. and C. F. Hansen. Lyric Theatre, Redfield, S. D. Among those attending the meetings were: Lynch and Higgens, New Richmond, Wis.: E. C. Clavier, Fargo, N. D.; Nat Kohler, Buffajo, Minn.; A. L. Devine, Parker, S. D.; Albert B. Muller, Maple Lake, Minn.; S. G. Latta, Fergus Falls, Minn.; F. J. McWilliams, Madison, Wis.; T. Buckstein, J. A. Dundas and Mrs. Dundas,' Sioux Falls, S. D.; Frank L. Koppelberger, Eau Claire, Wis.; J. B. Shearer, Park Rapids, Minn.; William Wrede, Hayfield, Wis.; R. J. Ball, Sharon, N. D.; Jay.E. Gould, Glencoe, Minn.; E. W. McFarlane, Graton, S. D.; H. J. Fitzgerald, Milwaukee, Wis.; A. C. Klug and Mrs. Klug, Zumbrota, Minn.; Hitchcock and Tine, Min{Continucd on page 14)