Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

2664 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 14. No. 17 Exhibitors in Baltimore Confronted by Unfair Vaudeville Competition MOTION picture exhibitors of Baltimore are much exercised regarding the recent plan of vaudeville theatres which conduct ten-cent performances, in showing pictures in conjunction with their theatrical program. Just what steps will be taken by the motion picture men is not at present known. Some of the leading exhibitors have been in consultation for several days past discussing the advisability of calling a general meeting of motion picture interests with a view of ascertaining just what can be done. Of course, boycott would not be permissable under the Federal law, but there has been some talk of organizing and insisting that the picture producers or film distributing concerns which book their big features for first run in vaudeville houses at ten cents permit the picture theatres to exhibit the same pictures for a five-cent admission. The motion picture exhibitors maintain that they are at a distinct disadvantage. Several of these vaudeville houses are making a direct drive for the motion picture enthusiasts, or the patrons of the straight line motion picture theatres. Some of the vaudeville theatres show five or six acts of vaudeville in conjunction with which they present seven, eight, and sometimes nine reels of motion pictures, included in which is a five or six-reel feature production. For this big show they charge a minimum admission of ten cents. Many of the motion picture theatres in the center of the city give only a five-reel feature, and in some cases this is presented in conjunction with a two-reel comedy or two reels of some other fill-in, for which an admission of ten cents is also charged. As a matter of fact, it is necessary that they get ten cents, or they would not be permitted to get the five-reel feature. Just what can be done by the picture men, of course, is not known, but there is a confident feeling that there is something they can accomplish to offset this unfair competition. The competition will be more thoroughly understood when it is considered that in many cases the vaudeville houses are directly opposite the motion picture theatres showing the feature productions a week or so later, or that the respective houses are only a few squares apart from each other. Exhibitors in New Jersey Organized League Branch MORE than a hundred motion picture exhibitors from erery county in New Jersey met at Achtel-Stetter's, Newark, last week, for the purpose of perfecting a state-wide organization. Although it was the first time that motion picture men representing every section of New Jersey had been called together for business purposes the work of organizing was completed within an hour of the time Chairman Charles Hesbe, of Jersey City, called the meeting to order. The organization will be known as the New Jersey Motion Picture Exhibitors League and will be affiliated with the Federation of Moving Picture Exhibitors of America. The officers chosen for the year are: President, Charles Hesbe, Jersey City ; Vice President, John F. Rockefeller, Monmouth county ; Secretary. Philip Bornstein. Newark; Treasurer, John Crawford, Newark. In addition to the work of organizing the exhibitors took a decided stand in favor of Sunday opening throughout the State and in a set of resolutions, unanimously adopted, condemned any censorship that did not originate with the judgment of the people. Mayor Raymond made the address of welcome. "My object in personally coming to you," said the Mayor, " is to assure you that insofar as my authority extends I assure you that it will at all times be in behalf of a square deal for the motion picture men of New Jersey. There seems to be a spirit of dislike for any profession or trade which tries to entertain the public. I don't know why this is true. Newark, and a large part of the population of New Jersey is cosmopolitan. It is not strange that this army of workers longs for pleasure and recreation. They are democratic and fair-minded in their tastes and convictions. The spirit of dislike for professional entertainments and entertainers can probably be traced to other sources. But wherever and whatever the source or sources this objectionable condition can be eliminated hy patient and systematic campaigning that has no other object than the education of the prejudiced and the partisan." Walter W. Irwin, of the Vitagraph company, followed the Mayor with an appeal to the clergymen to consider all phases of the open-Sunday-question in New Jersey before they sought to register their opposition to the movement. EXHIBITOR PERSONALS CONNECTICUT — Crescent Beach: L. S. Knoeck has closed the Crescent theatre for the winter. FLORIDA — Perry: Luther G. Blue and Ivor Culpepper are now running the Princess theatre. GEORGIA — Jackson: H. L. Williams is manager of the Dixie (formerly the Lyric), the onlv theatre in town. West Point: G. W. Murphy, Jr., has the Shawmut, R. W. Jennings the Vaudette. and L. Lanier the West Point Amusement Co. ILLINOIS — Auburn: H. J. Faust has succeeded Faust & Demblon at the Bijou. O. A. Wineman runs the Opera House. Barry: Dickason & Hess are successfully running the Star theatre. The Dreamland and the Gem are out of business. Berwyn: R. W. Thompson has succeeded W. W. Woods at the Masonic Hall show. Elburn: J. G. Early is running the motion picture show. Forest Park: Fair Grounds closed until next May. Freeburg: B. H. Conrath is manager of the Gayety theatre. Marine: Has no motion picture show now Payson: Wm. K. Elliott has suspended his show on account of the excessive war tax. Pecatonica: Mrs. L. Swift is now running the Fox theatre (formerly the Star). Robinson: H. E. Otey is running the only motion picture house here. M. C. Stewart and Marden & Owings have sold out and the Bijou is closed. St. David: Mike Higgins is now manager of the Opera House. Silvis: The Victor theatre has gone out of business — no motion picture show there now. INDIANA — Avilla: Star theatre is closed; understand Gertrude Gappinger has moved it to Kendallville. Monticello: H. H. Hornbeck is manager of the Majestic theatre (formerly the Arc). He also owns two other theatres here, two at Monon and one at Reynolds. Reports a splendid business. Owensville: A. L. Biddle is now owner and manager of the Star theatre. IOWA — Ashton: Wm. Barger has succeeded L. B. Coffeen at the Star. Burlington: The three straight line motion picture houses are doing finely, namely : H. A. Fritzsche at the Jewel, L. P. Blank at the Palace and J. Ralph Holmes at the Grand Opera House. The Garrick is a vaudeville house and shows motion pictures before and after the show. The Comet is out of business. Charles City: W. L. Youngman is now running the Lyric theatre and Wm. L. Waterhouse the Hildreth Opera House. Frank Wright is proprietor of the Gem. The Royal is out of business. Clarksville: J. A. Hale is now running the Auditorium. The Idle Hour is closed. Colfax : The Union and the Star are operated by the Real Amusement Co., which is composed of Harry De Boggio of Colfax, F. P. Lemen of Newton and Perry W. Luenger of Wapello. Marble Rock: E. R. Bailey owns and runs the Palace theatre at Rockford, Iowa; the Palace is right up to date as a picture house. Joseph Wiloth has a first-class picture theatre in Marble Rock, presenting the Paramount program exclusively. Odebolt: Larson & Davis are owners of the Princess theatre, the only motion picture house in town. West Bend: E. R. Rising has moved here the motion picture show originally given at Thor. KANSAS — Lyndon: W. H. Tyner now controls the Opera House. J. A. Cheshire is the picture show man. Pratt: The Phoenix has been changed to the Cozy theatre; it and the Airdome are run by Rice & Parsons. C. F. Bays owns the New Elite. ^ , Protection: J. Ikimes, owner and manager ot the Pastime theatre, has changed from three times to six times a week. He is running " The Diamond from the Sky " serial. Whiting: J. E. Highy runs motion picture shows twice a week. IOWA— Dexter: A Community Hall is now under construction. When completed moving pictures will constitute the major portion ot the entertainment presented. Dr. Sherman will manage the house, which is expected to open about January 1. Beaman: The theatre being prepared for opening by George A. Hitchcock will probably show its first pictures about the middle ot October. .., . _ Creston: The new theatre is rapidly neanng completion, and plans are being prepared tor opening about November 1. Clarinda: The Orpheum theatre has been piirchased from J. W. Burch by Messrs. Hamilton and Burch. The latter two gentlemen have signed up for a complete week of Universal service. . Mt Pleasant: The Princess theatre, one of tM best little houses in the state, is for rent. Manager Jackson, the former proprietor, having abandoned the motion picture business. New London: The Alamo reports that it is meeting with continued success in the use ot feature films. Under the direction of Manager Livingston this theatre is rapidly forging to the front as a leader in all lines. Keokuk: Manager Frank Baker of the GraiO is contemplating the inauguration of vaudeville, cutting his picture exhibitions to four days a week. Mr. Baker thinks his tovra IS ripe for a season of the variety stuff and intends trving it out. He admits, however, that he will have his eye and his right hand on « string attached to the "movies" for the j extra two days and will be back with themi if variety shows the least signs of failing. lowra Falls: W. A. Middleton of the Rex thea-] tre is being highly recommended for a Pron^i inent political office in that city. The old saw that "you cannot keep a good man down " is more than proving out in this respect, as present indications point to an ovei^ whelming victory by Mr. Middleton. i Monticello: The Partnership of Messrs. Landis and Slauson of the Princess theatre has been! disbanded with the announcement that MrJ Landis has purchased the interest of Mr,^ Slauson. KANSAS— Portis: C. H. Newby has bought show here. Esbon: Harry Lee, formerly of Otego, Kan.,! has opened a show. 1 MISSOURI — Cameron: The Jarboe theatre will| be open in a few weeks. Mr. Jarboe will continue to operate his theatre at CarroUton. (Continued on page 11715)