Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1924)

March 7 . 1924 1005 entral Penn. MORE than one hundred guests were entertained at the \ alentine dance given on the evening of February 14, at the fashionable Harrisburg Countrv Club, bv Mr. and Mrs. C. Floyd Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins is Harrisburg representative of the Wilmer & Vincent theatrical interests, and president of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce. Among the guests were a number of persons connected with the operation of the Wilmer & Vincent theatres in the city, and introduced during the general dancing were a number of theatrical stunt dances which added to the enjoyment of the occasion. Meyer Kabernich has accepted a position representing the Keystone Exchange, of Philadelphia, in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. He was formerly associated as a manager, with the Carbondale Amusement Company, of Carbondale. Despite opposition that has arisen among civic organizations of Harrisburged to the plan of a corporation recently organized by Athenas George, an Altoona exhibitor, to establish an amusement park on Independence Island, in the Susquehanna river, opposite a fashionable lesidence section of Harrisburg, the interests representing Mr. George have obtained a permit, for the erection of the necessary buildings, from the Harrisburg Building Inspector. The opposition to the project is based on the contention that the park would detract from the beauty of the river front. It is the plan of the corporation to include a motion theatre or picture airdome in the park. Park Commissioner Gross has declared that he is opposed to the project and that he will seek authority from City Council for the city to acquire the Island from Mr. George by condemnation proceedings, if necessary. Mr. George has intimated that he will proceed with the construction of the park which he hopes to have in operation by next summer. Bethlehem and Allentown picture theatres are availing themselves of the use of the Radio Broadcasting station, WSAN, maintained bv the Allentown Morning Call, to broadcast musical programs being given in theatres as prologues to motion picture shows. Manager John Xewkirk, of the Colonial theatre, Allentown. put on a concert by the Hunsberger-Rapp trio, instrumentalists, and Miss Martha Minner and Miss Louise Ruiz, vocalists, which was broadcast from the station and attracted many persons to the theatre to see the artists in person. At the Strand, Allentown, of which Dr. Ben manager, a prologue was In this prologue the musical artists were Miss Madeline S. Brown and John N. Mealey. Miss Brown was introduced by radio from the Morning Call studio between her appearances at the Strand. The Ye Eddie Quartette has been filling similar engagements to advertise several of the Allentown and Bethlehem theatres. Peter Magaro, managing director of the New Regent motion picture theatre. Market street near Fourth. Harrisburg, gave space in a store room at 404 Market street, beneath Stuck preset K ansas City his Coliseum dance hall, for an exhibition held from February 8 to 14, held by the Harrisburg Boy Scouts in celebration of the fourteenth anniversary of the establishment of the organization in that city. Twenty of the 36 troops of Boy Scouts, of Harrisburg and vicinity gave exhibitions of scout handicraft. Mrs. Florence Ackley Ley, former prima donna and at present director of the Community Service Bureau maintained by the Wilmer & Vincent theatrical interests in Harrisburg, is the organizer of a movement, announced on February 15, to establish a permanent Civic Opera Company in Harrisburg, the artists and other performers to be selected from home talent. Clarence E. Zerger, supervisor of the Harrisburg Public Schools, will assist Mrs. Ley in the stage direction, which will include dancing as well as vocal work. Announcement is soon to be made of the operas that will be attempted. MAURICE JOSEPH, former manager of the Kansas City Universal branch, who resigned to enter business for himself, has been succeeded by L. \Y. Weir, former assistant division in the West for Universal. If the assertions of L. A. Wagner, Princess Theater, Eureka, Kas., can be taken as a barometer, business in Kansas is on the upgrade. Mr. Wagner, with E. E. Frazier and son, Willard, who operate the Empress theaters at Paola, Kas., and Osawatomie, Kas., did some unusual heavy booking in the Kansas City market last week. In addition to coming to Kansas City to install L. W. Weir as new Universal branch manager, Gerald Akers, Universal division manager, will take about ten days to studyconditions in the Kansas City territory before returning to his headquarters at St. Louis. Max Roth, assistant general manager of Preferred Pictures, was in Kansas City last week on a tour of Middle West exchange centers. Business conditions are as satisfactory as he could disire at this time of the year, he said. Kansas City's "mail order film exchange" — the Economy Film Company, has issued a new catalogue of films. Bernard C. Cook, manager, who originated the idea in the Kansas City territory several months ago, asserts the volume of business done since the establishment of the exchange has vindicated him in his theory that such an exchange is in demand. A handsome diamond ring was presented G. B. Howe, who resigned from the Kansas City Universal force recently to return to the East, by the office force. He had been with Universal twelve years. The Missouri territory is being given the " once over " by W. E. Truog. division manager of Goldwyn, this week. W. C. Haynes is performing the same duty in the north and western sections of Kansas. The Roanoke Theater, a suburban house of Kansas City, has been purchased by L. J. Lenhart. formerly of the Gladstone Theater. The seating capacity of the Roanoke will be enlarged about 200, while a new front and decorations will be added. W. P. Bernfield. owner of the Liberty Hall Theater. Wathena. Kas.. lost no ground in an " advertising argument " with the M. E. church of that citv last week. The church. in advertising motion picture programs, stated they had " non-inflamable " films. " There ain't no such animal," came back Mr. Bernfield. Jos. Rosenburg, former Hodkinson representative in the Kansas City territory, has joined the Midwest-Educational force and will " plunge " into the territory next: week. Sympathy of Missouri and Kansas exhibitors were extended last week to Bert Byler, manager of trie Bixman Theater, Clinton, Mo., whose father died after an extended illness. Three Kinds of LOVE PUPPY LOVE SURFACE EMOTION C YTHERE AN LUDWIG G.B.ERB, PRESIDENT rERBOGRAPHl TRADE MARK LABORATORIES AND STUDIO MOTION PICTURE DEVELOPING AND PRINTING TELEPHONE AUDUBON 3716 203 to 211 W. 146 ™ St., New York City