Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2272 Motion Picture News R. E. Welsh Joins F. B. Warren Corp. FOLLOWING the statement made last week that Wid Gunning controls the F. B. Warren Corporation, announcement is made this week of the association of Robert E. Welsh, for the past several years managing editor of " Motion Picture News," with the distribtributing organization. Mr. Welsh will head the exploitation activities of the corporation. With a picture career that dates back to the early days with Kalem, Mr. Welsh is one of the best known film men in New York. He has long been recognized as the wielder of a facile pen, and his executive work as an editor marked him Tor choice by Mr. Gunning when the best in the industry was being sought. In his five years at the executive post on " Motion Picture News " Mr. Welsh has built acquaintance and friendship among exhibitors and other film men that is country-wide, while he has possessed an opportunity for an insight to the needs of theatre owners and the inner work ings of production and distribution equalled by few film men. As " silent partner " in the capacity of confidential adviser to numerous independent producers and big theatre men, he has cemented many friendships and strengthened his reputation for keen film knowledge. High lights in the career of the new F. B. Warren Corporation executive previous to his association with " Motion Picture News " include, in addition to his service with Kalem, two years as editor of " The Dramatic Mirror " when that publication was a strong factor in the picture field, and newspaper activity that includes work with " The New York American," " The Evening Telegram," and in several Eastern cities. While quiet and unassuming in manner and always of the type who keeps his name in the background, Mr. Welsh long ago established his worth as an idea man, an organizer, a forceful writer and an editor capable of instilling enthusiasm that achieves. In the department headed by Mr. Welsh is a nationally known advertising man, Mr. A. L. Hamilton, who comes to the industry from the mercantile advertising field. Mr. Hamilton, who has been at the head of his own advertising agency handling many well-known national accounts, has been attracted to the film industry by the exceptional opportunities offered for real " copy " of definite sales value. Particularly is it expected that Mr. Hamilton's broad experience will find expression in giving real consumer appeal to the exhibitor adds prepared for the coming big specials handled by the corporation. With Mr. Welch heading a department wherein such recognized advertising topnotchers as Mr. Hamilton are willing to work to learn " film methods," and Mr. Gunning and Mr. Warren, both advertising and exploitation specialists, an array of ability has been gathered which indicates the importance given to exploitation in the scheme of things with the F. B. Warren Corporation. Business Revival Spreads Through Country Rapid Resumption of Business in Some Places Described as Astounding by First National THEATRES all over the country are experiencing an astounding revival of business, according to reports being compiled by the home-office stafif of Associated First National Pictures. While the resumption of healthy business conditions is found in practically all sections of the country, as indicated by the reports in the First National headquarters, yet the revival is particularly noticeable *in the Middle West, though such Eastern centers as Bufifalo are also reporting highly satisfactoiy business. Describing the situation in Illinois, the First National report declares : "For instance, in Bloomington, 111., a town of 28,000 there is the Majestic theatre, operated by A. G. Schade, seating 1,200. The boom started August 22, when ' Lessons in Love,' an Associated First National attraction starring Constance Talmadge, began a three day run. The attendance records were shot all to pieces by this comedy. "If there had been any more records to break, ' Peck's Bad Boy,' which was shown from Sept. 5 to 7, would have shattered them. As it was, it had to be content with capacity houses. It was going so strong on the third day, due to lavish newspaper reviews, that it would have been held over but for previous bookings. ' The Girl in the Taxi ' went big from Sept. 15 to 17, and two days later they had to haul out the S. R. O. sign again, due to ' Bob Hampton of Placer,' every seat being sold for all performances during the three day engagement. Are You Filing * Em? We advised you last week to file every copy of "Motion Picture News" — hunt up the stray ones — arrange them — count — them — see if any are missing. Did you do it? You'll need every copy from now on — need it to do business with — need it so badly you'll be coming to us to replace lost ones. File 'em! NOW! " ' Passion' was the feature Sept. 26 to 28, and again they were turned away. While ' The Golden Snare,' which came on Oct. 3 for a three day run, didn't do quite as well, there was no fault found with the box office receipts. " Practically the same success marked the showing of First National pictures at the Crescent Theatre of Pontiac, 111., a town of 7,000. The house seats 450 and is managed by Hal Opperman. ' Bob Hampton of Placer ' started the fireworks by breaking the attendance records during the showing from Aug. 9 to 11. Capacity houses were the rule during Sept. 5 to 7 when ' Passion ' was the attraction, and ' The Gold Snare ' repeated the following week. ' Peck's Bad Boy ' likewise filled every seat Sept. 27 and 28. " The Bond Theatre, in the same city, which seats 605, reported a full house during the showing of * Mother O' Mine ' on Sept. 23. " Capacity houses also greeted the show ing at the Blackstone theatre, Dwight, 111., during September when ' Bob Hampton of Placer,' ' Scrap Iron ' and " Passion ' were shown. This theatre seats 463 and is in a town of 2,200. ' Scrap Iron,' incidentally, broke the season attendance record at the Kinema Theatre in Los Angeles. " ' The Sign on the Door,' Norma Talmadge's latest, in particular has been giving the summer slump the grand slam. Herbert H. Johnson, manager of the Luna theatre of Lafayette, Ind., reports that it broke attendance and box office records during its three day run in September. Saxe's Strand in Milwaukee likewise hung up some new records during a six day showing late in August, according to Manager E. J. Weisfeldt, due to the popularity of the star and the strength of the stor\'." In Buffalo, N. Y., the First National survey shows that neighborhood houses which have been closed all summer have resumed business and that theatre patrons are growing in numbers with the passing of the milder weather. The Shea Amusement Company's new North Park Theatre, it is announced, will run pictures day and date with Shea's Hippodrome doASTitown. The latter house has been re-decorated at an expense of over $10,000, and an elaborate new stage setting has been installed. Loew's State theatre has just been opened, and the Lafayette Square, which is replacing the old Lyric, will be ready for opening by the first of the year. There are also a number of neighborhood houses under construction in the cit) and the surrounding towns.