Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 37 TRADE NOTES The principal objection to Kinemacolor has always been the extra expense of installing two machines to project black-and-white and the natural-color motion pictures, which require special projection apparatus. Formerly the Kinemacolor machines were all imported from England, but now the Simplex people are turning out a special machine which will project both monochrome and colored pictures. Accordingly, the Kinemacolor Company has mapped out a very unique plan and scale of prices, so that exhibitors in small towns will be able to use the natural-color pictures as an added feature to their regular programs. This class of service is a genuine novelty to exhibitors, and the prices will range as low as $20 per week, the idea being to show Kinemacolor in places where it has never been seen. Another radical departure for the Kinemacolor Company is the selling of machines, which could formerly be obtained only under a leasing contract. By a novel but simple mechanical contrivance, the Kinemacolor machine can be transformed into a black-and-white machine, and perfect projection guaranteed for both natural-color and monochrome pictures. The price of this machine has been set at a comparatively low figure, so that exhibitors who have room for only one machine may secure this combination projector. The principal reason for the sale of Kinemacolor machines is that the company may be able to meet the demand for booking of the special features that will be released from time to time, such as Weber and Fields' plays, Maeterlinck's "Blue Bird" and the Panama Canal pictures, for which latter there is a renewed demand. Under the former system it was necessary to transport the projecting outfit from town to town, like a theatrical road show; but with general installation of machines capable of projecting Kinemacolor pictures, the problem is reduced simply to shipping the reels, while the expense and time of setting up the machines will also be eliminated. Robert Leonard is producing ''The Primeval Test," a novelty. In this play a young husband gets advice from an eccentric old doctor regarding his wife's affections, and resorts to the ways of primeval days. Bob Leonard takes the part of the husband and Margarita Fischer is the wife, and both have wonderful acting parts. Reese Gardner, a new-comer, is the man who interrupts the serenity of married life, and John Burton takes the part of the eccentric doctor. Many handsome new moving picture theatres that have been built under the 600 seating capacity ordinance are installing Kinemacolor as a special feature worthy of their standing in the amusement field. Among these the Empress Theatre, at 181st street and St. Nicholas avenue, New York, and the Arena and Marathon theatres in Brooklyn, begin service next Monday. The new Duffield Street Theatre, in Brooklyn, which, it is claimed by its builders will equal if not excel the beautiful Regent Theatre in New York, has contracted for Kinemacolor as one of the features of its opening season. The Bedford, another Brooklyn picture theatre which ranks as one of the finest of its class in the East, has also contracted for Kinemacolor service. RELIANCE MOTION PICTURE MACHINES AND ACCESSORIES Repairing All Makes Powers, Edison, Lubin New and Second Hand Machines Bought and Sold CHAS. H. BENNETT 50 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Calehuff Supply Co., 1^ CHAS. A. CALEHUFF, Pres. and Mgr. 50 North Eighth Street Philadelphia, Pa. Largest Leading Supply House in America No Junk or Fake repair parts. Only Genuine parts made and guaranteed by the Manufacturers. Jobbers in Edison, Powers and Motiograph machines and parts. Headquarters for the greatest screen in the world MIRROR. SCREEN W rite for information on anything pertaining to the Motion Picture Business. WATCH FOR OUR NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT In writing to advertisers please mention "THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS"