Motion Picture News (Jul-Oct 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 29 Heat Fails to Check Washington Business Warner's Features Reports Good Bookings — Company Has Just Opened a Baltimore Branch — Mutual and Universal Placing Orders for Films Regardless of Torrid Conditions — Scramble Among Exhibitors for First Chance to Show Essanay Feature, "One Wonderful Night" special to The Motion Picture News Washington, D. C, July 28. A DRESNER, local manager of the Universal forces, is taking * a much deserved vacation, and during his absence Mr. Irvin is at the helm. He says he finds local trade conditions good, and with the increase in programs he could use more reels if he had them. He has all sorts of mean things to saj^ against Washington heat, but he will probably get used to it, like the rest of us. It is rumored that Mr. Dresner will return with a wife, but so far he is keeping everyone guessing as to when the affair will take place. ■B. C. Cunningham, of the iMutual, was busy, as usual, when I interrupted, which was indicative of good business. "All I have to say," he remarked between signing letters, "is that I regret I haven't more reels to offer the exhibitors. ^lutual movies certain!} make time fly." SYDNEY B. LUST, manager of Warner's Features, reported business unaffected by the hot weather. This office has just opened a branch in Baltimore to look after the increased business of that city. The comedies which are being issued by the Warner Features caught booking at once and seemed to fill a warm weather need. Mr. Lust recently gave a private exhibition at the Cosmos Theatre of "A Born Warrior" and a Marion Leonard feature. Manager Bralawski, of the Cosmos, spoke in high terms of these two productions, as did also the press and exhibitors present. Both of these features and "■Mother Love" have received solid bookings, and some managers have already asked for return engagements. THE Eclectic Exchange is busy with winter bookings for its big features. ^Manager L. D. O'Brien approves of the movement of the exhibitors to increase their programs as a summer attraction rather than reducing the price of admission, as he believes this better maintains the standard of the house. "Sealed Orders" just completed a week's run at one of the large theatres in Baltimore. Great activity was in evidence at the offices of the General Film Company. There has been something of a rivalry for the initial performance of the big Essanay feature, "One Wonderful Night," featuring Frances X. Bushman, who won the hero of this production in the "Ladies' World" contest. The lucky exhibitor has been Crandall's Theatre, which is only permitted to retain it two days. The chief news of importance from the World's Best Film Corporation is that Joe Bloom, special representative of the corporation, visited the local offices and expressed himself as highly pleased with conditions in the Washington territory. He was on his way south, where he will make an inspection tour, his first stop being Atlanta. MANAGER WORTHINGTON, of the Eclectic Exchange, was pleased to report a close booking for "The Stain," in which the Washington actor, Thurlow Burgen, is featured. The exhibit room conn'ected with this exchange was formally opened last week with a showing of some of the recent Pathe productions. This is a spacious room in the basement of the Bank of Commerce Building, amply fireproof, with a throw of about 100 feet. The concensus of opinion of the invited guests on this occasion was very flattering. This room will be used for frequent displays, as well as impromptu showing of films when desired by exhibitors. The Eclectic has the distinction of being the only exchange that has its own exhibit hall, and Manager Worthington has every reason to be proud of his work in this direction. The Empress Theatre carries about the most costly program of the fivecent houses. Marcus Notes has always maintained thp attitude of offering entire first-run pictures with a daily change of program. Not even is a popular feature retained a second daj-. At present he is offering five reels, including al the big features and serials of the Universal. MR. NOTES is an old-timer in the motion-picture business, being the first to champion the independent cause. He also believes in offering good music, using a select small orchestra for the accompaniment of his show. Tom Moore, proprietor of jMoore's Garden, Orpheum, Plaza and other theatres, is in New York making some bookings for his houses for the fall and winter. He intends to bring to Washington the very best and biggest productions that the film industry offers. A. Robb is loking after the Moore Amusement Company affairs during his absence. Mr. Moore was accompanied by his wife, who is about as well known in film circles as her husband, who was a pioneer in the business in the Capital City. They are making the trip by auto and will stop on the way at several of the large cities. Theodore Franklin. SOUTHERN HOUSE TO OPEN AGAIN Special to The Motion Picture News Meridian, Miss., July 38. Clifford Gillespie, druggist and A. G. Weems, real estate dealer, are planning to reopen the Gem Theatre in this city. The house was recently closed on an attachment against B. Frank Isaacs, who operated the house for a number of. years. Negotiations are expected to be closed within a few days. The house is fully equipped and all the new management will have to do is to unlock the doors. It is understood that tentative arrangements have been made for the Universal film service. TABLOID HOUSE GOES TO PICTURES (Special to The Motion Picture News.) Shreveport, La., July 28. The Gem is the latest motion picture theatre to open in Shreveport, the second largest city in Louisiana. It is under the management of Saenger Brothers, with E. V. Richards, Jr., as general manager. The Gem is located in the old lobby of the Phoenix Hotel, and succeeded the Happy Hour Theatre, which was designed for tabloid comedies, under the management of a Chicago firm. The new management lasted just one week. The Gem is showiiig first-run pictures. PATRONAGE WENT TO LARGER THEATRES Special to The Motion Picture News Patterson, La., July 38. The Electric Theatre, of this city, has felt the effect of too much competition in a town of this size and the result is that the films' have taken their departure and the building is now being converted into a business house.