Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

2016 Motion Picture New: Here Is More Proof of at Least the Attractiveness of Girl Ushers. At the Left Is a Group from the Majestic Theatre, Portland, Ore., and at the Right the Girls of the Liberty Theatre, Spokane, Wash. Employment of Young Women Has Proven Successful at Both of These Theatres Girls Solution of War Problem — Franklin (Continued from page 2015) at some time or other comes in contact with your cashiers, and it is important that they be representative of the theatre in every respect. Girls can fill doormen's positions as readily as any other department, and the time will probably come when some advanced exhibitor will consider seriously placing girls in charge of the projection rooms. A girl has even been found to be a success in some cities. Girl ushers should be properly uniformed, the same as were the boys in former days. A neat, simple gray dress with white trimmings is used at Shea's Hippodrome with good effect. To see girl ushers in various modes of dress creates the impression of discord, " au contraire"; sameness of dress gives the impression of harmony, which should be a characteristic of every theatre's atmosphere. Managers who have not already begun to prepare for the coming of girls and women into important posts at their theatres should make way at once, for with the continuation of the war men and boys will be eliminated. Begin to train girls NOW and when the time comes you will be prepared. Baltimore Circuit to Aid Fourth Liberty Loan While motion picture exhibitions for an admission fee are hot permitted in Balti more on Sundays several exhibitors of that city have recently shown motion pictures on that day for patriotic purposes and without charging admission. This idea will be followed by Louis A. DeHoff during the drive for the Fourth Liberty Loan. During the last loan there wa> $27,000 subscribed at two Sunday performances at the New theatre. This year he intends not only to use that theatre, but also the New and the Garden, which are also under his management. Social performances, consisting of pictures and possibly including vaudeville, will be given and Four-Minute Men and other workers for the loan will speak and sell Liberty Bonds. Stoite Gets Real Advance Review of Picture Arthur G. Stoite, manager of the Strand GLAD YOU DO But If You Find Help Here, Won't Others Profit by Your Aid? EVERY mail brings us letters from exhibitors whose names have probably never appeared in these columns telling us how much benefit they have gained from the Exhibitors' Service Bureau. Of course we are mighty glad to hear that this department has done you good. That is the reason that the time and money is being devoted to its conduct. It is being run for the exhibitor purely, but don't you think that you yourself have some responsibility to your fellow showmen? Recently we had a letter from an exhibitor telling us how he had made money with an idea that he had seen here. And at the same time he told of an idea of his own that brought profit to many others. Unless he had felt that he owed something for the suggestion of the man who had helped him he would probably not have volunteered. We are not asking for matter for the purpose of filling paper, but we do want to print the ideas that are getting money for others so that the industry as a whole will be benefitted. And because you are one of the smaller fellows DON'T HESITATE. theatre, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has used a new idea and with success. When he booked " Hearts of the World " he set about to get a large amount of advance publicity before the picture would be shown in Cedar Rapids. He realized that he wanted a different sort of publicity than the ordinary advance notice. He was sure that the picture would make good, but he wanted to get the endorsement of his newspaper in advance. So Mr. Stoite arranged to take the motion picture writer of the Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette where the picture was being shown, and the result was a review of a column and a half that appeared well in advance of the Cedar Rapids showing. And it was the guarantee of the paper that the picture was worth seeing, for it was a real review. As far as we know this is the first time a motion picture manager has taken such a step, but it's a good idea and worth trying if you can put it over. Ministers at Rochester Help Boost " Mormon Maid " All of the advertising possibilities of " A Mormon Maid," the anti-Mormon pro paganda picture, were used to the full by the Rialto theatre of Rochester last week in preparation for the showing of the picture for a week's engagement. On special invitation, members of the Rochester Ministerial Association attended a private showing one morning and some of them were induced to issue statements commending the picture and advising members of their congregations to see the picture. Mormon missionaries have been especially active in Rochester lately and the picture fitted in well with the efforts of those opposing them. Following the private showing, a branch of the AntiMormon League was organized and Mrs. Nellie B. Slinterland, organizer of the League, gave an address. In addition to the picture the management had arranged to have Miss Myrtle Edwards, authoress and lecturer, deliver a lecture at every showing and a soloist and chorus sang.