Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

January 7 , 1922 377 First National Franchise Holders of Eastern Canada Convene Policies, Officers and Executive Committee of First National Endorsed by Delegates FULLEST endorsement of the policies, officers and executive committee of Associated First National Pictures, Inc., was voted by the delegates to the regional get-together for Eastern Canada, comprising the Ontario, Quebec and Maritime provinces, which was held in the Windsor Hotel, Montreal, December 12 to 14. Twenty-nine delegates were in attendance, representing 60 franchise holders. William J. Drummond was chairman of the sessions. The advisory boards elected were as follows : Ontario: Frederick Guest, Hamilton, chairman; Jule Allen, Toronto, W. D. Ferguson, Toronto; Hy Meehan, Lindsay; H. Brouse, Ottawa. Quebec : George Nicholas, Montreal, chairman; Maurice West, St. John; J. E. LaBrecque, Montreal ; I. Singerman, Sheerbrooke ; Ottawa, Ont. Maritime Provinces: W. W. O. Fenety, Fredericton, N. B., chairman ; Mrs. E. H. Davidson Moncton, N. B. ; John Connor, Glace Bay, N. S. ; Colin Dansen, Springhill, N. B. ; Messrs. Brouse and Stapleton, Ottawa, Ont. The final business of the meeting consisted of passing motions endorsing all the policies which have guided and are guid ing First National and voting confidence in the officers and the executive committee. George Rotsky, of Montreal, representing the Allen theatres, paid a tribute to the home office advertising department and its manager, C. L. Yearsley. After praising the benefit and assistance it has been to the exhibitors, he said : “ In my opinion it is the best advertising and publicity department in the business. All other companies could take lessons from the First National publicity department, and make it extremely profitable for themselves.” On Tuesday the delegates were guests of Mr. La Brecque at luncheon in Le Club Canadian, and at his insistence the afternoon sessions were held in the club parlors. Monday evening they were the dinner guests of Mr. Rotsky at the Press Club. The get-together wound up Wednesday night with a banquet. During his formal address, Chairman Drummond paid a high tribute to President Robert Lieber, D. D. Williams, H. O. Schwalbe, William J. Morgan, Mr. Yearsley and others of the home office executive staff. The delegates were : George Rotsky, Montreal, representing 23 Allen franchises ; George Nicholas, Montreal, representing seven United theatres ; Harry Brouse, Imperial, Ottawa; B. F. Stapleton, Center, Ottawa; Frederick Guest, Queens and Empire theatres, Hamilton. Ont. ; I. Goldwater, Empress, Lachine, Que. ; George Gladianos, Midway, Montreal; J. E. La Brecque, Passe Temps, Montreal; N. A. Lazanis, Alhambra, Napoleon and Lord Nelson theatres, Montreal; J. Sperdakos, Fairyland, Montreal ; I. Singerman, Premier, Sheerbrooke, Que. ; A. J. B. Robert, Gayety, Three Rivers, Que. ; Z. Goldberg, Sun, Montreal; Maurice West Imperial, St. John, Que. ; H. Heller, Perron Hall, Montreal ; D. Wolff, Verdun Palace, Montreal ; W. W. O. Fenety, Gayety, Fredericton, N. B. ; Mrs. E. H. Davidson, Imperial Moncton, N. B. ; J. A. Ivraker, St. John, N. B. ; W. L. Charlebois, Northern Star, Iroquois Falls, Ont.; D. W. Ferguson York Toronto ; R. Stevens, Regent, Sudbury, Ont., and E. S. Meehan, Academy Lindsay, Ont. ; C. Pownall, Gem, Orangeville, Ont. ; A. Gorman, Montreal ; W. J. Drummond, Toronto; J. James Montreal; S. Brint, Toronto, and Colin Dansen, Springhill, K B. Albany Managers Preparing for Convention New York State Exhibitors ’ Gathering to Open; to be Held February 14, at Hotel Ten Eyck DETAILS in connection with the annual convention of the New York State Motion Picture Theatre Owners in Albany, on February 14, 15 and 16, are fast being worked out by members of the Albany Managers’ Association. At the last meeting announcement was made that the business sessions of the convention wiil be held on the grand ball room floor of the Hotel Ten Eyck, capable of seating at least 1,000 persons. A large room immediately off the main lobby of the hotel was rented last week for the use of the exchanges and their booths. This room is of sufficient size to accommodate every exchange in the state. Within the next few days 100,000 stickers, ordered by President George 1 Roberts of the Albany Managers’ Association and calling attention in no unceri tain way to the coming convention, will be sent to every exchange which will in turn be expected to use these on all outgoing mail matter. In connection with the grand movie ball at the State Armory on the night of February 15, special invitations will be sent to all New York state officials. A reception committee will be on hand to present these officials and others to the stars who have promised to attend. Clara Kimball Young, the Gish sisters, Mae Murray, Eugene O’Brien and others will be on hand. Due to the closeness of Albany to the metropolis and likewise to the fact that the ball is to be held in the city housing state executives and the legislature, producers are anxious to be represented at the ball through their stars. A special reception committee will be named from the Albany Chamber of Commerce and from the Managers’ Association to meet these stars at the station on their arrival. The Chamber of Commerce has also named several special committees to work with Mr. Roberts and his associates in perfecting plans for the gathering. Outside interest has already been aroused in the ball. Mr. Roberts has received letters of inquiry from Glens Falls, Schenectady and other cities, asking the price of admission. It is expected that there will be at least 4,000 couples attending this ball. Tickets have been placed at two dollars each. It has been decided to hold the banquet at 8 o’clock on the concluding night of the convention. The program of speakers is already under way. Arrangements are to be made with some film company to film the activities of the first tw'o days. The film will then be rushed to the General Electric Company’s laboratories in Schenectady, developed and printed and shown as one of the features at the banquet. This picture will show among other things, Mayor Hackett greeting the stars as they arrive in the Capital City. The Albany Chamber of Commerce will shortly issue a booklet especially prepared in connection with the Convention, and which will be mailed to every exhibiter, producer and exchange in the state. All persons intending to be present at the state convention should get in touch at once with Samuel Suckno, Albany theatre, Albany, N. Y., in making hotel reservations. Mr. Suckno will make these reservations and reply to all letters on the day of receipt. At a meeting of the Albany Managers’ association today, Richard C. Fox, manager of the Select Pictures exchange in Buffalo, M. W. Kempner, manager of the ( Continued on page 380)