Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 31, 1923 1581 Regional News From Correspondents Seattle Bulletins and News or Nortkwest liy Paul Lynch, manager of the exchange. The ( pinion of the members of the Jcnsen-VonHerberg personnell who saw the picture was that it eclipsed all previous efforts of the comedian. "The Marriage Chance" has been booked by Manager Louis Amacher of the American Releasing exchange with the Blue Mouse theatre in this city for an engagement beginning the end of April. "Java Head" and "Kick In" are two of the latest Paramount pictures that have been booked with the JensenVonHerberg circuit by George P. Endert, manager of the Famous-Players exchange and are due for Seattle showing in the near future. "Kick In" was scheduled to follow "Robin Hood" at Manager Leroy V. Johnson's Liberty theatre. "Peg O' My Heart" has been booked with Manager H. B. Wright of the Strand for early showing, by the local Metro exchange. The Auditorium theatre at lone, Oregon, under the direction of E. P. Rich, has been closed, according to advice received on Film Row this week. J. L. Johnston, publicity and exploitation manager for the First National exchange here returned to the city after a three week tour around the Washington and Montana circuit. J. A. Gage, manager of the Educational exchange has left for a short tour around the local territory with "The Message of Dr. Coue." Wallace Rucker, Educational salesman, returned to the city last week for a few days after a month's trip in Washington and Oregon, and left again to return to his territory. All Seattle employes of the Greater Theatres company, operating the Coliseum, Strand, Liberty and Neptune theatres, were guests of the company at a supper and dance given at the Liberty theatre recently. The affair began at 10:30 p m. A number of special entertainment numbers were provided. J. G. VonHerberg and H. B. Wright were the speakers on the program. The upper floor of the theatre was elaborately decorated for the occasion, and several novel musical and vaudeville numbers were included on the program, which was arranged under the direction of the managers of the four houses. More than one hundred persons attended the affair. "Thorns and Orange Blossoms" and "The Hero," two of the latest Al Lichtman Corporation productions have been booked by the Blue Mouse theatre of this city, according to an announcement made by John Hamrick, president of the Blue Mouse circuit. These are the first Lichtman productions to be presented at the Blue Mouse. Playing dates have not been definitely decided. Seattle downtown theatres are looking forward to slightly increased attendance from now on, as a result of the recent reduction to five cents of the local street car fare. For many months the fare was six and one-quarter cents and then eight and one-third cents, and the reduction came only after a hard campaign on the part of the citizens. Theatres of the city banded together when the fare was lowered and used a full page advertisement in Seattle papers emphasizing the lower fare and the increased economy with which people could attend the theatres. Because the picture could remain in Seattle only one week, Manager H. B. Wright was forced to give two extra performances of Charles Chaplin in "The Pilgrim" the first day of its engagement at the Strand theatre. The first performance began at 10 o'clock in the morning, and continued on a two hour schedule with the second extra performance beginning at midnight. "Toll of the Sea" was the other longer subject used on the bill with "The Pilgrim," and the novelty was enjoyed by Seattle patrons. Admission prices for evening shows at John Danz's Colonial theatre were recently raised from ten to twenty cents. The Colonial is the largest downtown second run house in the city. The ten cent at any time policy was begun by Mr. Danz several months ago, but the increased elaborateness of programs at the theatre necessitated the raise which has just gone into effect. G. MAXEY, formerly manager of the VJ« Associated First National Exhibitors' exchange is now key representative for the Film Booking Offices in the Northwestern territory. I. Schlank, formerly a salesman for A. B. Metzger's local F.B.O. exchange, is manager of the Omaha F.B.O. branch. Mr. Maxey has been manager of the First National exchange in this city since November, 1922, when he succeeded L. O. Lukan, now connected with the Blue Mouse circuit. Two new film men have joined the Seattle office of Goldwyn and are now working under the direction of W. E. Bamford, exchange manager. Dave Farquher, formerly manager of the Select office in Salt Lake City, will work from Portland, and "Butch" Wingham, recently a salesman for Universal and F.B.O., will handle work out of the Seattle office. Leon Bories has just joined the Seattle office of Universal and will specialize on selling Universal features in and around the local territory. J. L. Schlaifer, manager of the exchange, recently donated the use of two Harry Carey and Jack London two-reelers to the Zillah, Wash., Boy Scouts organization for a special show put on by the Scouts and has received an extremely appreciative letter thanking him for his kindness to them . The series of twelve Heeza Liar cartoons now being handled by Manager J. R. Beal of the local Hodkinson exchange have been booked with the Blue Mouse circuit in Seattle, Tacoma and Portland. "Fun From the Press," another Hodkinson short reel that is finding favor among Northwest exhibitors, is being shown at the Coliseum and Winter Garden theatres in this city. "Safety Last," the latest Harold Lloyd comedy, has arrived at the Pathe office, and was given a preview at the Liberty theatre recently Jottings from WINNERS of the Daily Bulletin-Graf and Warfield Motion Picture Contest have just been announced by Manager Lionel H. Keene, marking the end of the race for filmfame in which 73 candidates competed. The contestans were first enrolled in the Daily Bulletin. Then all were given the "studio screen test," with professional equipment, settings, etc., on the stage before the audience during the regular performances at Loew's Warfield. Then came the week of voting during which patrons registered their choice of candidates as the "tests" were shown on the screen. This was the most trying ordeal of all as some of the candidates had a comic effect on the audiences. Paul Powell, director for the Graf Production "In The Fog," who chose the girls is so pleasei with them he will use practically all in the present picture. The winners of the contest are : Ruth Royce, Elizabeth Hood, Alice Thompson, Frances Bell, Bernice Coleman, Dorothea Sommers, Barbara Barrington, Erial Tellegan, Myrtle Fonts and Ermay Goodleigh. Thomas Wilkes, of the Alcazar theatre who controls a chain of playhouses in the West has San Francisco invaded the New York field, according to an announcement just received from him. Louise Dresses has arrived in San Francisco to join a galaxy of stars now appearing before the camera of Graf productions for their forthcoming production "The Fog" which is being filmed at the Pacific Studios. The synco-symphonists of the "Granada" have just been featured in an act "On the Atlantic." Mirth and melody prevail through the whole act. Wilbur Hall, funny man, of the orchestra, assisted by Rube Crozier, impersonated "Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean." Numerous requests have been made for this number. On one occasion they were called out 15 times. War veterans and other patients at Letterman General Hospital were recently entertained with a concert. The musicians were from the Granada, Imperial, Portola and California theatres. It was one of a series of entertainments which are being given at Red Cross House by local talent. A. A. Richards of Modesto, opened a beautiful and thoroughly modern theatre of 900 seat there last week. It is called the Richards. an cinity Bob Sharp, well knov/n publicity man of the Liberty and Strand theatres of Fresno, has been in the hospital for some time as the result of a serious operation, but is now on the road to recovery. Late Trade Items from Indianapolis Territory The Farmers' Association has leased a movie house at Owensville, Ind., and will operate it. The annual convention of the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays will be held at the Claypool hotel April 5 and 6. This is the women's organization which has consistently and sturdily fought censorship for four years on the ground that indorsement of the good and ignoring of the bad is more American. Those in charge of arrangements are : Mrs. David Ross, Mrs. Theodore Wagner, Mrs. T. W. Demmerly, Mrs. O. C. Lukenbill, Mrs. J. F. Akc, Mrs. B. H. Moore, Mrs. F. L. Pettijohn, Mrs. M. E. Robbins, Mrs. Wolf Sussman and Mrs. J. W. Vestal.