Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 3i As the floor has been sunk, there is more ceiling height at the rear of the house (perhaps feet), yet not enough for the ridiculous size of the screen. The screen is eighteen feet wide, surrounded by a black frame one foot wide. While the frame of the screen touches the ceiling, there is only thirty inches between the floor and the frame, placing the screen entirely too low. The owner of the theatre will find that his desire to. show a big picture, in the hope of getting the patronage of the other houses, will act against his own theatre, as if the patrons cannot enjoy the picture in full on account of the heads of the persons sitting in the front seats, they will go somewhere else, where they can see a full picture, if even smaller in size. Architects of Philadelphia are preparing for the next issue of The Motion Picture News plans and drawings of the new theatre they are erecting for the Campbell Amusement Co., of Camden, N. J. J. M. B. CHARLES CALEHUFF'S NEW PREMISES Philadelphia Jobber's Great Progress In respect to motion picture apparatus Philadelphia is recognized as one of the most important trade and commercial centers of the United States in this line, affording a profitable market for the sale and exchange of the goods. The proof of the fact has been shown by the growth of so many firms engaged in the business. Much of this success and prosperity, however, is due to the foresight and intelligence on the part of the men who are at the head of these concerns. Into this class of m'en, who possess an appreciation of the situation in Philadelphia, we would put Charles A. Calehuff, president and general manager of the Calehuff Supply Company, which for some time has been located at 50 North Eighth Street, and which since experiencing such an extensive increase in volume of business as to necessitate newer and more upto-date quarters, has leased the store property at the northwest corner of Thirteenth and Race Streets, which will now enable them to carry on their business even more expeditiously and promptly than heretofore. Mr. Calehuff is an acknowledged expert in his particular field of endeavor, and by reason of the high-class service he gives he has built up a reputation in the local motion picture world that is extraordinary. The workmen he employs on the repair work are experienced men in the business and all work is done under the supervision of Mr. Calehuff himself. The mirror screen. Edison machine, Powers machine and motiograph are all too well known as to their respective merits to require any mention on our part. We congratulate Mr. Calehuff and the firm which he has been instrumental in building up, and we wish him success and prosperity in his new home. MAINE EXHIBITORS MEET The Maine branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America met in the Assembly Room of the DeWitte Hotel in Lewiston, Maine, at 2 p. m., October 21st. President M. Blumenburg, of Portland, presided. Among the exhibitors present were: E. L. Crawford, Brunswick, Me.; C. H. Seymour, Houlton, Me.; J. J. Hone, Presque Isle, Me.; C. J. Rush, Millinocket, Me.; F. E. Mortimer, Freeport, Me.; J. W. Greeley, Portland, Me.; A. A. Allen, Bangor, Me.; F. H. Hauson, Winthrop, Me.; H. W. Gillespie, Calais, Me.; Wm. Shea, Eastport, Me.; J. A. Emery, Bar Harbor, Me.; A. P. Bibber, Lewiston, Me.; Wm. Gray, Lewiston, Me.;' M. Blumenburg, Portland, Me., and O. F. Fernandez, Old Town, Me. Many exchange men and Feature Film representatives were also present. The convention was a success, harmony and good-fellowship prevailing throughout. Matters of importance directly affecting the Maine exhibitors were taken up, discussed, and acted upon. The Maine State Branch of the league now numbers over forty members in good standing. An organizer will be placed in the field, and the members of the league expect to have at least 95 per cent of the exhibitors of the State of Maine join the league before their next convention, which To the Editor. Sir: The big independent associations of New York, Pittsburgh, Massachusetts, Indiana, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee, etc., and also unattached exhibitors, who favor neither Webb, Sweeney nor Trigger, would welcome an open department as a medium of communication on matters of interest to each other. You and others are ignoring this vast body of men whose only interest is the proper conducting of the motion picture business. At present we find only a "league" department in some papers. That is all right so far as covers the "league'' with — according to National Secretary Wiley — 3,000 members. What about the other 16,000 exhibitors? Men who have sufficient brains and intelligence to get out handbills, etc., for the modern picture theatre surely have some rights to an open forum as a means of exchanging ideas upon will be held next February at Portland. After Mr. Neff addressed the convention, by unanimous vote the National Organization and its officers were endorsed, the Maine Branch being in thorough accord with the National Organization. The State of Maine will be represented at the National Convention to be held at Dayton, Ohio, on the first Tuesday after the Fourth of July, 1914. The convention adjourned at 6 o'clock. A dinner was served in the DeWitte Hotel, after which the members of the league were entertained at Music Hall Theatre and other picture houses in Lewiston. Madame Orloff, of Vienna, one of the most distinguished actresses on the Continental stage, is the latest acquisition to the ranks of the Great Northern Film Company. This gifted artist has appeared in the principal theatres of Europe, and enjoys the distinction of being capable of playing a series of varied roles. Her forte is the emotional, but during her successful career on the stage she has played many parts with equal distinction. It is with difficulty that the Great Northern Company persuaded Madame Orloff to appear in motion picture productions, but when she accepted and entered into the spirit of the advanced art of cinematography she became enthusiastic over the possibilities. Madame Orloff will be seen in the leading role in the twelve-reel production of Gerhart Hauptmann's "Atlantis," and she may be expected to appear later in a number of multiple reel productions which are in the course of preparation by the Great Northern Company. the "big things" in connection with the industry. We are tired of reading "inspired" stuff from just one source, and that generally gross misrepresentations, as per the account sent out by Mr. Neff from the Hollenden Hotel meeting on October 13th, at Cleveland. In every paper it was a rank fabrication. Such stuff is a gross imposition upon your independent readers. The paper with the open forum for all signed articles from individuals or associations will be the one for responsible advertisers. Let us have it. Print this suggestion and watch the response. Fraternally, SAM BULLOCK, Cor.-Sec, C. M. P. Association. [The "inspired stuff" to which Mr. Bullock refers was not printed in these pages. And, moreover, the "open forum" of our pages is available by all who have the best interests of the motion picture art and industry at stake.— Ed. M. P. N.] An Open Forum Wanted