Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

2342 Motion Picture News The Government Theatre at Camp Taylor, Ky., " The Home of Smileage " Stephens Optimistic Over Film Conditions Picture theatre attendance is greater and generally higher admission prices are being paid than at any time in the history of the industry, according to S. T. Stephens, widely known New Orleans film man, who has just been appointed general supervisor of Mutual exchanges. Mr. Stephens came to New York last week for a conference with James M. Sheldon, president of the Mutual. In the course of his visit Mr. Stephens discussed the conditions of the business in most optimistic terms. He looks for a record fall and winter attendance, and predicts a constantly increasing standard of production and exhibition. " The summer business everywhere has been better than it ever has been," commented Mr. Stephens. " I attribute it to a variety of causes, but among the chief ones are the fact that, under new railroad rates, summer excursions have been less frequent, people have stayed at home more than ever and they have spent their money at the picture theatres. Frank Whitbeck to France for Y.M.C. A. Work Frank Whitbeck, for two years at Scranton, manager of the Poli theatre and Academy of Music, leaves soon for France to enter the Y. M. C. A. service. Mr. Whitbeck offered his services early last July and has since been expecting the call every day. The call came last week and Mr. Whitbeck has been designated as one of the directors of amusements for the million and a half of men who are representing the United States on the fighting lines. Many columns of valuable space in the newspapers of Scranton attest the popularity of Frank Whitbeck in that city. He is peculiarly fitted for the new post and it is safe to sav that he will make good. Osborn Back to General After four years of absence from General Film Company. H. M. Osborn, a well known exchange man, has returned to that company, the announcement being made that he is the new appointee as manager of the Pittsburgh branch. Buffalo Exhibitors Turn Down Stage Hands Buffalo, N. Y. — At a meeting of the local stage hands and the exhibitors in Sheas' Hippodrome the request of the former for an increase in wages was turned down, the managers declaring that they could not at this time see their way clear to abrogate the agreement between the managers' association and the union, which runs for two more years. This is the third request for increases that the exhibitors have had to deal with in the past several weeks. First came the musicians, who won their boost, then came the operators, who now have their individual managers to reckon with, and now the stage hands. Manager L. Becker of the Linden theatre is offering three prizes in War Savings Stamps to patrons who bring in the most peach stones and all who bring in over ten pounds will receive two admissions free. The Linden lobby is now packed with peach pits. Another Buffalo newspaper and theatre have linked forces in the issuance each week of a local film weekly. The Family theatre and the Buffalo Times inaugurated their first issue this week with a series of Liberty loan activities. It is planned to make the news film a permanent feature. Italy's Flaming Battlefront " was screened for local exhibitors at Al Becker's studio, 17 Swan, street, this week, and from the comments heard after the screening the pictures will be heavily booked in this territory. Buffalo theatres Saturday aided the Buffalo Evening News' Smokes for Soldiers' fund by contributing tickets which were auctioned off at a big rally at Lafayette square. Theatres contributing tickets were the Strand, Sheas Hippodrome, Palace, Teck, Regent, Sheas' vaudeville and the Lyric. Local managers have also from time to time aided the fund by placing acts and actors at the disposal of the News for rallies in the theatres and the public square. Over $6,000 was raised at the rally Saturday. Earl L. Crabb journeyed with the Strand camera car to the annual outing of the Rotary Club. Baltimore Exhibitor Has Floral Lobby Display Baltimore, Md. — A distinctly original note in advertising his photoplay offering, featuring Fanny Ward in " A Japanese Nightingale," has been struck by Arthur D. Price, manager of the Blue Mouse theatre, Baltimore. Mr. Price has the lobby of his theatre decorated to resemble a Japanese flower arbor. Supports such as are seen in old Japanese prints form an important part of the effect and flowers peculiar to that sunny country are arranged about the lobby in artistic manner. Artificial wisteria, cherry blossoms, Japanese carnations and asters, as well as chrysanthemums, form a part of the scheme. Bernard Depkin, manager of the Parkway Amusement Company's chain of theatres, comprising the Parkway, Strand, Waizard, Peabody and McHenry theatres, Baltimore, plans to revive the Mary" Pickford picture triumphs. Mr. Depkin has already shown one of these called " The Eagle's Mate," in which James Kirkwood supports little Mary, and which was originally released in 1914, and reports a tremendous business. State Exhibitors in Convention at Albany (Continued from page 2339) of New York State League, Albany; Fred Elliott, of Albany; Morris Silverman, of Schenectady ; Wm. Burnstein, of Schenectady; Walter Zeiser, of Schenectady; George Roberts, of Albany, president of the Tri-City local ; Mr. Shirley, of Schenectady; B. E. Cornell, of Syracuse; A. N. Wolf, of Rochester; G. E. Lansing, of Catskill ; L. F. Hanmore, of Newburg ; Stratford theatre, Poughkeepsie ; R. W. Landray. of Ogdensburg; Wm. H. Linton, of Utica; W. A. Dillion, of Ithaca. Wires of acceptance of designation were received from : Max Spiegel, of the Strand theatre. New York; Ira Mosher, of Buffalo ; A. C. Hayman, of Niagara Falls ; Dr. Tohn Howe, of Ithaca; J. A. Suchardt, of Buffalo; Daniel White, of Buffalo; G. H. Lux, of Utica; B. Young, of Ilion; J. Walker, of Schenectady; C. S. Smith, of Hornell ; J. M. Schwartzwalder, of Auburn. nniiiiiiiiimiiiimiiiii>iHiiiiii:iim:iiiimimiii I Ml inn RUN LIBERTY FTLMS iiif"tnii!itiin!iirrti;n'niifHi!!iiiMiifni!iii'i:!i!i.;!i:'^.