Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March i o , 1923 « 1183 Albany Briefs and Eastern New York It ems HE lobby of the Grand theatre in Watervliet, N. Y., was badly damaged last Wednesday morning, when a runaway team smashed the lobby and fixtures to bits. The house is owned by George Tetrault. The damage is covered by insurance. C. R. Halligan, manager of the Universal exchange in Albany, screened "The Oregon Trail" at the Crescent in Schenectady last Wednesday before a crowd which included Miss Janet Moon, Morris Silverman, Abe Dwore, H. Myers, Claude Fisher, A. Stone, J. Farrell and Mr. and Mrs. Loomis. The Albany Film Board of Trade sent a beautiful floral piece to The Troy, on the occasion of its opening last week. Exhibitors in this section of the state are complaining these days that the radio has made serious inroads in their receipts. The number of radios in this section is unusually large on account of the broadcasting stations at Troy and Schenectady, making it possible for the cheapest sets to catch the evening concerts. Buckley and Tarsches, owners of the Leland and Clinton Square in Albany, are said to be dickering for the Playhouse in Hudson. It is also said that Nate Robbins, of Utica, is planning to enter Albany, and is seeking Harmanus-Bleecker hall. The Majestic, in Troy, which has been closed for some time, will shortly open with about $12,000 spent in beautifying and modernizing the house. A Mr. Deiches will run the house. The Strand, at Troy, has changed its policy, as well as its prices, and will be a second-run house from now on with a ten and fifteen cent admission. Myer Schine, of Gloversville, has just added the Strand of Dolgeville, to his string of houses. The Strand has been run by William Hayward. Charles Walder, manager of the Goldwyn exchange in Albany, was called to New York the past week by the death of his father-in-law. Maurice Cohen, who has been managing the Bond Photoplay exchange in Albany, will now handle Warner Brothers' exchange in Buffalo. Mr. Cohen was formerly connected with Grand and Warner, as well as with Nu-Art. He is succeeded in the Albany office by Charles Charles. Following the opening of The Troy, in Troy, the other night, Walter Hayes and Moe Mark played the part of hosts at a dinner at the Hotel Ten Eyck in Albany. Among those present were H. S. Gans, Moe Mark, Air. and Mrs. Vic Bendell, Alex Wiseman, Marvin Kempner, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hayes, E. L. Falk, Moe Silver, and others. Vic Bendell, manager of F.B.O., in Albany, was in New York the past week. L. H. Granjean, from the home office of the American Releasing is spending the week in Troy and Schenectady, in exploiting the coming showing of "The Sign of the Rose." Harry Gans, Albany manager of the American Releasing, pulled a good stroke of business last week, when he arranged for a showing "What Fools Men Are" before the dele gates of the Men's Apparel Club of the state, at the Hotel Ten Eyck. John M. Stahl, the well known director, has just endeared himself to many exchange managers over the country, including A. J. Herman, who looks after the First National in Albany. Mr. Herman has just received a solid gold pencil from the director. Employees of the First National exchange in Albany, are planning to hold a sleighride and dinner next week. 1 George H. Cobb, chairman of the New York State Motion Picture Commission, appeared before the W. C. T. U., at Albany, last week, and made a speech defending film censorship. Plans for Sunday movies in Rensselaer, N. Y., have been abandoned following opposition both by the Mayor and the clergy. Petitions seeking Sunday shows in the city were circulated by the proprietors of motion picture theatres. Archie Moses, manager of the American Releasing Exchange in Buffalo, died last week, following an illness of pneumonia. Mr. Moses was well known throughout New York state, and served for a time as salesman for Universal out of Albany. The Albany exchanges sent a beautiful wreath to the funeral. L. B. Brown, who conducts a repair shop for motion picture projection machines in Albany, lost his little daughter last week as the result of a fire which swept his home in Watervliet. The little girl died from burns while a small son is also in a precarious condition. Canadian Exchange and Exhibitor News Items THE value of a moving picture film as the record of a historical event was exemplified at Loew's theatre, Ottawa, during the week of February 19 in the presentation of a special reel to commemorate the anniversary of the death, four years ago, of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, one of Canada's greatest statesmen, ' at the Canadian Capital. This picture, which was titled, " In Memoriam," was a revised representation of the funeral of Sir Wilfrid, incidents* in the life of the political leader being added to the scenes of the burial. This reel was prepared by the Exhibits and Publicity Bureau of the Canadian Department of Trade and Commerce and a copy is to be placed in the Dominion archives for future use because of its historical value. Unusual activity was seen in Ottawa, Ontario, during the week of February 26 as the result of a visit to the city of Baron de Grandcourt, press agent for the Fox Film Corporation, Ltd., Toronto. This activity centered around the Centre theatre, the manager of which is Don Stapleton, through the presentation of the Fox picture. "Who Are My Parents?" Patrons at this theatre were given a chance to name a new title for this production and a prize of $50 was offered for the most appropriate title selected. Another event was the personal appearance at the theatre of Miss Eileen Maxwell, a beautiful young Montreal lady who figured prominently in the selection of a Queen for the Montreal Winter Carnival. Miss Maxwell was shown on the screen at every performance and was also introduced in person at evening shows. The Ottawa Citizen published a tie-up, " Beauty Page," in connection with the visit of Miss Maxwell. After its successful run of two weeks at the Allen theatre, Toronto, " Me and My Gal," the special English production, was presented at the Regent theatre, Ottawa, during the week of February 26 under the direction of Manager Jack Kennedy. Extensive advertising was conducted for the engagement. The Imperial theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, presented the second picture produced by Ottawa Film Production, Ltd., " Glengarry School Days," during the week of February 19, exceptional interest being taken in the screening because of the local appeal of the feature. Goldwyn's special production, " The Christian," was given its first Canadian run at the Grarfd Opera House, a Toronto downtown house, starting with the week of February 26 as a road show at special prices. Mr. J. R. Vincent, of Montreal, former auditor of TransCanada Theatres, Ltd., has been appointed manager of the Grand in succession to Mr. Sampson of Chicago. Mr. Jule Allen, of Jule and J. J. Allen, Allen Theatre Enterprises, Famous Players Film Service, etc., was a visitor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, during the week of February 19 when he took up matters relating to Allen houses in Winnipeg. Manager Ben Cronk. of the Allen theatre, Toronto, has booked " Satan's Paradise," a Toronto-made production, for presentation in the leading Toronto Allen house during the week of March 5. This feature was made by Filmcraft Industries, Ltd., Toronto, under the direction of Blaine Irish and the Canadian rights have been secured by Famous Players Film Service, Ltd. Miss Winifred C. Blair^ of St. John, N. B., the nominee of the Imperial theatre, St. John, to represent the city in the " Miss Canada " contest of the Montreal Winter Carnival, was the choice of the judges at Montreal for Canada's Winter Queen. Walter H. Golding, manager of the Imperial, nominated Miss Blair for the contest and Mrs. Golding acted as her chaperone during the competition at Montreal. A syndicate of Winnipeg, Manitoba, business men has opened a new moving picture theatre in the St* James suburb of Winnipeg, the new house being located at Parkview and Portage avenue. The house cost $60,000 to build. The opening attraction was " The Storm." An organ is to be installed. The Auditorium theatre, Virden. Manitoba, was gutted by fire recently, the loss being estimated at $10,000. The theatre was owned by the Virden Motion Picture Company. The theatre at Gleichen, Alta., was also one of several buildings which were destroyed by fire there recently. Personal and Photoplay News from Florida THE firm of Bean and Trumbull, who have operated the Egypt theatre at St. Petersburg since it was built, is no more. B. H. Trumbull has bought the interest of John E. Bean, and has changed the name of the theatre to the Liberty. The musicians of Tampa gave another dance last Monday night, the receipts of which went to the " home " they are erecting. Orchestras from all the theatres rotated and furnished continuous music for the dancers. J, T. Nolen, who was one of the pioneers in the motion picture game in Sunny Tennessee, is visiting in Tampa. A dozen years ago, when movies sold for a jitney, Mr. Nolen was the half-owner of the largest circuit in that state. He says that in those days they were afraid to ask over a dime for five acts of vaudeville, an illustrated song and three reels of fillums. Stanley E. Myer reports the opening of his tent theatre, the Highland, at Frostproof, last Saturday evening, and " business is fine," says Stan. The big surprise of the week in Tampa was the resignation of C. D. Cooley, who has been general manager of the Strand Amusement Company and later the Consolidated Amusement Company, since the opening of their first house here, the Strand. The corporation now controls five houses here. It is said that Mr. Cooley will open up in another Florida city, but Mr. Cooley would not confirm this. The corporation have not anannounced a successor yet, but Jack Frost, the assistant manager and publicity expert, is keeping everything running, smoothly.