Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

2172 Motion Picture News Three New Washington Theatres October Will See Three New Motion Picture Theatres Open Their Doors in Nation's Capital OCTOBER will see three new picture houses open their doors to patrons in Washington. The han on building construction other than for Government purposes has not affected these, owing to the fact that material and contracts were secured and provided for and the buildings were too near completion to be left unfinished. They were not requisitioned by Uncle Sam because they could not be used to advantage for war work. These will be Loew's Palace theatre, F street near Thirteenth street, with entrance on F street ; Crandall's Metropolitan, also on F street, near Tenth street, and Moore's Rialto, on Ninth street near G. These promise to have larger seating capacities than theatres now in use and to be the most up-to-date in construction, attractive in design and beautiful in decoration. A recent statement from Walter Brownley, manager for Mr. Loew in Washington and Baltimore, announces that the Palace will be adapted for both screen and stage attractions and will be. used for both as occasion demands. It will have a seating capacity of 3,000. which exceeds that of any other theatre in the city. A unique feature will be the elimination of long flight of stairs, as the central lobby from F street will be so graded as to meet the natural slope of Thirteenth street, making the orchestra reached by a descent of six steps and the balcony by an ascent of about the same number of steps. Panel lights under each alternate step will enable patrons to easily find their way to the balcony. The lighting system will be entirely new to the Capital City, as no lamps or domes will be visible. This will be effected by panels from the roof illuminated with cathedral lights. A 30-foot switchboard controls the lighting system and 146 " dimmers " makes possible the regulation of lights for varying effects to meet the demands of screen and stage performances alternatively. There will be twelve private boxes provided, six on each side of the stage. Dressing rooms, scenes and full stage equipment will make this an ideal house for road shows. An exceptionally attractiveset for the screen will occupy the stage for picture performances, in front of which will be located a large orchestra for accompaniment. When stage shows are installed the orchestra will take its place in the orchestra pit. Already two large pipe organs have been installed, one on each side of the stage. These will be used alone and in conjunction with the orchestra for accompanying screen and stage productions. A cone system of heating under the seats will make the house comfortable in winter, while a monster typhoon fan will provide proper ventilation as well as make it cool during the hot weather. Columns of French marble and mirror panels will give beauty and brilliancy to the lobby, which will be enhanced by an artistic color scheme. Rest rooms, smoking rooms and other comforts will be provided for patrons. The promenade lounge on the balcony tier will be paneled in Mexican mahogany and provided with a cheering fireplace. This overlooks the lobby and offers opportunity for entr'act meetings. Booking of "America's Answer 5> Chas. S. Hart Announces Booking Conditions for the Second Official Government Feature Distributed by World Film DIRECTOR CHAS. S. HART, of the Division of Films, Committee on Public Information, who recently announced the coming release of " America's Answer," the second U. S. official war picture, under conditions that will make it possible for motion picture houses, large or small, to show the picture at a profit without the necessity of increasing their admission price, now makes public the plan formulated by Dennis J. Sullivan, Manager of Domestic Distribution, for giving both the exhibitor and the public a fair deal. As already announced, " America's Answer " will be released through the World Film Corporation. The date will be October 28, instead of October 14, as previously indicated. The plan does not comprehend a percentage of the receipts, but a straight rental of 33 1/3 per cent of the average daily business of the house, plus 25 per cent increase for the additional business that a Government picture insures. For instance if a theatre's business has iuiuiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiniiiiuniiiiiuaiirauiwiiiiiniiiuiiii RUN averaged $1,000 a day since November 1. 1917, 25 per cent, or $250, is added, thus figuring the prospective business for the official picture $1,250. The rental for the picture in that case would be $416.66. On the basis of a daily average of $100. plus $25, the rental would be $41.67. A small motion picture house, with a daily average business of only $15, would see the Government picture for the verv small sum of $6.25. The addition of 25 per cent to the average daily business of the theatre is considered very fair, because " Pershing's Crusaders " has increased the business of the houses from 50 to 200 per cent over the normal receipts. Director Hart also makes another announcement of interest to exhibitors. " In order to avoid any misunderstanding," he says, " exhibitors should bear in mind that the Government tax on theatre tickets is remitted only when the official films are shown directly under Government auspices. When the pictures are shown on a rental basis the usual war tax for motion picture theatre admissions must be collected." Rowson Writes on British Film in America In a letter of appreciation to Motion Picture News, H. Rowson, of the Ideal Film Renting Company, Ltd., London, speaks of British-made film in the American market. His letter, which follows, is of vast import and interest to the whole industry : " I wish to thank you on behalf of my company for the recognition which you have given to ' Masks and Faces ' in the ' Motion Picture News.' " If I may be allowed to say so here, I think the time is coming when the trade will have to think hard over some of the problems concerning the showing of pictures from different countries. I recall the fact that one of the earliest attractions of the cinema was the display outside of mottos such as, ' We bring the world before you.' In recent years, however, the influence of manufacturers has tended toward a much more insular attitude. " It would, of course, be mad folly to leave any opening for inferior pictures on any pretext whatever. I venture to think, however, it is just as bad for the trade in general that any system should prevail which prevents or handicaps unduly comparatively better pictures than are being shown. As an example of this, I would like to quote Italy and France, two countries which were undoubtedly pioneers in film productions. On account of their insularity they remain exactly where they were many years ago ; in fact, it is a question whether they have not actually receded. On the other hand, America which was the first big country to utilize the resources of the world in different developments of the film and cinema industry has undoubtedly placed itself for the time in the front rank. " The regularity of output and the identity of interest between manufacturer and distributor which was the chief feature of American production years ago undoubtedly achieved wonderful success, and contributed immensely toward the stability of the trade. It is undeniable that it was not in the direct interest of manufacturers to encourage the exhibition of foreign pictures, regardless of tht effect on exhibitors. The time quickly came when there were practically no dealers in America to buy foreign pictures, in .-.pite of the fact that a few foreign pictures have trickled into America during the last few years, which have been, on the whole, exceptional pictures and of rare merit. " I have had too much experience as a distributor of films to deny or disparage the value to each country of home-made pictures. Of pictures which only reach average qualities, local atmosphere, local color, local manners, etc., will help a film to pass muster where it will entirely fail when shown in any foreign country. My experience, however, has also taught me that pictures of exceptional merit are exceedingly attractive independently of their origin. " I look more to the trade press to deal with the question of foreign films in the proper perspective, and to exercise analogous functions of statesmanship as against interests of individuals. " I would like to assure you that I have every cause for gratification at the reception of my company's pictures in America. Since we started producing in 1915, and during my visit in 1916, every one of our pictures were disposed of there. Some by myself, and others by the surreptitious means of duping pictures by the light-fingered gentry, which exists in the industry. In a way the best proof that American methods have been keeping out good pictures before and during the early days of the war, is to be found in the fact that so many pictures found their way there anyhow, and I believe were shown with great success in some of the best theatres in the country. " I am trying to look at this matter dispassionately in "what I hope is in the best interest of the trade. I want every manufacturer in everv country to feel the incentive to progress. I want him to feel that there is room in every part of the world for pictures of outstanding merit. I believe that the permanent success of the cinema depends upon progress and the peculiar advantages it has of bringing the world in all its ramifications to every door. Odious comparisons in trade papers will not take the place of editing them intelligently for the public "What is the remedy? I suggest that the organizations which distribute films all over the country should have a department whose business it will be to look out for suitable pictures from foreign countries which shall also have the means of editing them intelligently for the American public. " The natural advantages of the home-made article cannot really suffer by foreign competition, but must benefit if there is any truth in the idea that good pictures are preferable to indifferent ones. " Yours verv faithfully. " H. ROWSOX." LIBERTY FimtCS ititMiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiitnntninniiii iinnnnii iniininiiiiii: