Associated First National Franchise (1921)

Mayl$jig2I First National Franchise 3 California Has First National Week Nearly 300 Theatres There and In Arizona Profit Through Idea— Sweeps Whole Country NEARLY three hundred representative motion picture theatres in Southern California and Arizona booked Associated First National Pictures attractions for an entire week in the month of March, following up the First National Week idea, which has been spreading throughout the country and which has proven profitable in each section where it has been used. FRANCHISE, in its issue of April 1, published on page 10 a cut of the page advertisement used by the Seattle office in advertising First National Week in that territory. An ad of equal size, but of different design, was used by the California office with good results. It was reproduced on page 15 of the May 1 issue. These ads have done much, according to records, to help the hundreds of theatres sell their programs to the public, and are another example of First National co-operation and service. A LONG LIST THE actual number of California and Arizona theatres participating in First National Week in that territory was 290. On the screens of these houses sixty-seven First National attractions were projected during the week. That each of these pleased the audiences and held up at the box office is indicated by the unusual success of the Week. Exhibitors are finding more proof daily that the public places confidence in First National attractions to the extent that there is no question concerning the quality when the trade mark is shown. "The Big Five" were represented by "The Kid," Charles Chaplin's "six reels of joy," and "Passion," with Pola Negri. These two led the list in the number of bookings. In third place, Marshall Neilan's "Dinty," James Oliver Curwoods "Nomads of the North," Charles Ray's "Nineteen and Phyllis" and Mr. and Mrs. Carter De Haven in "Twin Beds," ran neck and neck. Other attractions which rolled up an impressive number of bookings were Katherine MacDonald in "My Lady's Latchkey," Constance Talmadge in "Dangerous Business," Mack Sennett's "Married Life" and "Love. Honor and Behave," King Vidor's "Jack-Knife Man," Whitman Bennett's "The Truth About Husbands" and Louis B. Mayer's "The Woman in His House." NOT NEW, BUT POWERFUL It was notable that a number of the now famous First Nationals came in for their share of presentations, and proved that their drawing power is still vigorous. Among these "veterans" may be mentioned "The River's End," Marshall Neilan's northwest production, Anita Stewart in "Virtuous Wives," Charles Chaplin's "A Dog's Life," Norma Talmadge in "A Daughter of Two Worlds," "In Old Kentucky," with Anita Stewart, and the Curwood production, "Back to God's Country." In addition to the sixty-seven feature attractions presented, several of Fontaine Fox's "Toonerville Trolley" series of comedies were in demand. A noteworthy aftermath to the week was the fact that the ten or twelve days following showed a list of overflow bookings from the How she can love — How she loves! week amounting to a total of nearly one hundred and fifty theatres. Three Los Angeles theatres joined in celebrating the First National Holiday Week. The anniversary presented the world premiere of Marguerite Clark's "Scrambled Wives" to delighted audiences, who were loud in their praise of the dainty star's unusually appealing vehicle. The Kinema Theatre brought to a close a remarkable engagement of Charles Chaplin's "The Kid," which has been the sensation of the motion picture center for the past five weeks. The Alhambra Theatre presented Sidney Franklin's "Unseen Forces," which attracted capacity audiences. THE annual meeting of the Associated First National Pictures, Inc., and the First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., was held at West Baden Springs, Indiana, on April 20, 21 and 22. Franchise holders representing the several territories in the United States and Canada were present, together with several persons representing the home offices. Formal sessions opened at the West Baden Springs Hotel on Wednesday morning, April 20, and continued in morning and afternoon meetings until the final adjournment on Friday afternoon. The following officers, directors and members of the executive committee were re-elected for Associated First National : President — Robert Lieber, Circle Theatre, Indianapolis. Vice-President — James B. Clark, RowlandClark Theatres, Pittsburgh. Secretary and Treasurer — Harry O. Schwalhe, Mastbaum Theatres, Philadelphia. Executive Committee — Moe Mark, Strand Theatre, New York; Nathan Gordon, Gordon Theatres, Boston ; Harry O. Scliwalbe ; Sam Katz, Balaban and Katz Theatres. Chicago, and A. H. Blank, Blank Theatres, Des Moines. Directors — J. G. Von Herberg, Jensen-Von Herberg Theatres. Seattle ; E. Bruce Johnson, Turner and Dahnken Theatres, San Francisco ; John H. Kunsky, Kunsky Enterprises, Detroit ; Col. Fred Levy, Levy Theatres, Louisville; A. H. Blank, Blank Enterprises, Des Moines ; Robert Lieber, Harry O. Schwalhe, Nathan Gordon, James B. Clark, Moe Mark and J. J. Allen, Allen Theatre Enterprises, Canada. FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITORS CIRCUIT: President, Robert Lieber; Vice-President, Sam Katz ; Secretary and Treasurer, SLIDES TO EXHIBITORS The campaign throughout the territory for First National Week included a series of slides which were sent gratis to all exhibitors who had made bookings for the week. These slides were beautiful in design and educational in nature, explaining the aims of Associated First National Pictures and enumerating the stars and directors whose product finds a market through the exhibitors' circuit. On the opening day of First National Week a full-nage ad was carried in the Los Angeles Examiner, which has a wide circulation throughout Southern California and Arizona. This ad listed the entire collection of bookings, showing where each picture might be seen during the First National Week. Assisting Manager Dave Bershon in his record-breaking performance was Bill Knotts, assistant manager ; Charles A. McVicker, Harry Cohen and E. C. Drane. "Life" Commends Our Pictures "Life" took occasion in its issue of May 5th to commend several Associated First National attractions, especially "Passion" and "The Kid." These two productions were named by "Life" as two of the best four motion pictures released thus far in 1921. Other productions which were commented favorably upon are "Man-Woman-Marriage," "The Old Swimmin' Hole " "Scrambled Wives," "The Oath," "Jim the Penman" and "The Passion Flower." Harry O. Schwalbe ; Directors — James B. Clark E. Bruce Johnson, J. G. Von Herberg, Sam Katz, Robert Lieber, Harry O. Schwalbe and Nathan Gordon. The meeting was devoted to corporation affairs and to other matters affecting the operation of the business. Several important undertakings for the coming year were considered and referred to the executive committee for subsequent action. The many important actions of the organization during the past year were endorsed. In an analysis of nation-wide trade conditions based upon reports of franchise holders representing the various territories, it was found that while in some instances minor evidences of depression were encountered, on the whole the exhibiting field appeared to be in a prosperous condition. Considerable enthusiasm regarding the prospect for business commencing with the next theatrical season was expressed. On Wednesday evening the circuit members were the guests of Col. Fred Levy and Sol Lesser at an exhibition in the hotel of "Peck's Bad Boy." The following were present : Robert Lieber, Indianapolis ; Harry O. Schwalhe, Philadelphia ; J. D. Williams. New York; William J. Morgan. New York ; E. Bruce Johnson, San Francisco; F. M. Brockell. New "York; R. H. Clark, New York; Spyros Skmiras, St. Louis; E. Mandelbaum, Cleveland; Jacob Fabian, Newark : S. Fabian. Newark : Moe Mark, New York; John McGuirk. Philadelphia; Harry Crandall, Washington. D. C. ; W. P. Dewees, Vancouver, B. C. ; Harry T. Nolan, Denver ; Tom Saxe. Milwaukee; Sam Katz, Chicago; Barney Balaban, Chicago ; R. D. Craver, Richmond ; James B. Clark, Pittsburgh ; John H. Kunsky, Detroit ; George Trendle, Detroit ; Sol {Continued on /'age 4) Franchise Holders Meet in Indiana All Executives Re-elected At Session That Brings All Territories Together If You Have a Problem Let FRANCHISE Help You Solve It