Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

2 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 18. No. 12 September 21, 1918 Film Exchanges Establish Central Shipping Room AS a war measure for the purpose of conserving time, labor and reducing the expense — in addition to greater efficiency — the Detroit film exchanges in the film building, in co-operation with W. J. Brokaw, Superintendent of the Consolidated Express companies, have created a central shipping room on the loading platform of the film building, for all incoming and outgoing express shipments for the film industry exclusively. Mr. Brokaw has assigned special wagons for this service, and they will operate exclusively for shipments for the film building. Mr. Brokaw has assured the Transportation Committee of the Detroit Board of Motion Picture Exchange Managers that he is fully aware of the importance of the film industry and that in his official capacity as head of the Detroit express situation, he will do everything he possibly can for the improvement of delivery service to and from the film building and the express depots. The new plan goes into effect September 30, and as above stated, will not only create greater efficiency, but will reduce the delivery cost of each film company at least 50 per cent. Theatres Changing Hands ILLINOIS. Negotiations for the purchase of the Court Theatre, Pekin, 111., has been made, whereby Robert Kennedy disposes of his interests to George E. Troughton, former newspaper man. It is understood Mr. Kennedy will go to Colorado. The Bedford Theatre Company has taken over the management of a theatre at Salem and has announced its intention of having the house overhauled and improved. The Bedford Theatre Company also has charge, of the Stone City Theatre, the Grand and the Crystal, in Bedford. INDIANA. Sam Carlton, of Frankfort, Ind., has been engaged as manager of the Sipe Theatre, in Kokomo, Ind. He was serving in a similar capacity at the Blinn Theatre, Frankfort, Ind. WISCONSIN. The new business block on Monument Square, formerly known as the Baker Block, Racine, Wis., has been named the Rialto Building. The new theatre in the building will be known as the Rialto. Picker & Petrusha, who control both motion picture theatres in Ironwood, have also taken over the Garrick Theatre, in Hurley, Carl Becker having disposed of his interest in the house recently. The Garrick has been remodeled and improved. Madison Film Moves to New Building CC. RANDOLPH, manager of the Madison Film Ex• change, which releases First National pictures in Michigan, has leased space on the sixth floor of the new film building and will move there this week. Contracts for remodeling of the space have been let. Rialto Theatre Opens in Racine, Wisconsin THE RIALTO, Racine's newest and most elaborate moving picture house, opened Monday evening, September 9. The Realto is the largest theatre in Racine, and it is the first real movie " palace " ever constructed in this city. The new theatre is owned by Arthur Friedman, and is managed by Messrs. Lamoreaux and I. R. Peters. The new managers came directly from Chicago, where they had charge of the Ascher Brothers' circuit of sixteen houses. The Palace will also be under the direction of Messrs. Lamoreaux and Peters. The Palace and the Rialto promise to be the first theatres of a great circuit to be built by Mr. Friedman. The Rialto seats 1,500 people in the large auditorium and balcony. The building is not a new one, formerly having been the largest crockery store in Racine. The entire interior was removed and rebuilt. A large addition was made to the building in the rear and a fourth story was added to the structure. The location of the new palace is ideal. The Rialto is located in the heart of the city, on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth. Every street car in the city passes its entrance. The largest hotel in Racine is within one hundred feet of the theatre on one side, and on the other the largest stores in the city are located. In front of the Rialto is Monument Square, with its two gardens, picturesque fountains and Civil War monument and cannon. Lake Park is within a block of the new theatre, and those who get tired of gazing at Lake Michigan are expected to go to the nearest movie house, the Rialto, and gaze at the pictures instead. The lobby and ticket office are elaborately decorated, the exterior having a copper effect, while the interior is decorated in old rose and French gray. The ceiling is arranged to give a dome effect, and is attractively lighted with a myriad of globes. Tennessee marble has been used in the construction of the lobby, interior and ticket office. ' The auditorium is wide and high, with artistically decorated walls. The ceiling is of French gray, while the panels and the pilasters are in old rose. The lighting is of the indirect type, and is designed to give different color effects, which are produced by means of dimmers. The entrances to the mammoth balcony are made by a flight of stone stairs on each side of the lobby. The steps are richly carpeted in dark red velours. A feature that no other theatre in Racine has may be found in the new Rialto. Along the promenade there are beautiful mahogany slab doors leading to resting rooms, reading rooms, waiting rooms, and even play rooms for naughty children. A colored maid is in charge of the children's room, which has everything from a sand pit to various toys to amuse the youngsters. The maid keeps the little tots happy while mother attends the moving picture show. The interior furnishings, decorations and draperies were designed by Manager Lamoreaux. He followed out his design to give the theatre a Venetian effect by introducing that tone into his decorations. The music in the new theatre is of the very best quality that could be obtained. The new organ is a wonder, costing $10,000. The pictures are of as good a quality as the music. Only first runs and the very best photoplays are shown. Paramount-Artcrafts, Goldwyns and Metros seem to be the favorites. The seats are of mahogany with leather upholstery. They are arranged in a centre section and two side sections. A 14x16 screen is a feature in the new theatre. The operators have secured a splendid light on the screen from two of the latest Simplex projection machines. The steel operating booth is in the rear of the balcony. Indianapolis Exchanges Organize as Division THE film exchange managers in Indianapolis, under the leadership of J. I. Schnitzer, Central States manager for the Universal Film Exchange, Inc., are organizing as a division of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. The first step in the organization of this unit was taken at a luncheon last week at the Chamber of Commerce, attended by C. E. Penrod, of Fox Film Corporation; Mr. Allison, Indianapolis manager for the Doll-Van Film Company; Mr. White, of the World; J. G. Conners, of the Mutual; C. W. McDaniels, of the General; P. B. Elliott, of the American, and R. S. Shrader, of Pathe. The object of the organization is to promote greater harmony among the local exchanges.