Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 39 Chicago News in favor of the ordinance, of course, maintained that the 200,000 who visited the theatres should be given more consideration than the six hundred that owned them. Mr. Choynski, who at the present time is building a theatre, claimed that the many contractors whom he had approached could not guarantee to install a system that would work and comply with the ordinance. It being their contention that the supplying of so much air would naturally make the theatre cooler in Winter, they, however, claimed that they would install a system that would get the O-K of the city authorities, but would not guarantee it to work. Several of the aldermen on the committee seemed to be in favor of amending the ordinance within what the exhibitors consider reasonable bounds. THE ED-AU CLUB The organization of the Ed-Au Club of New York editors and authors having at least ten produced photoplays, was effected at the Taverne Louis, New York City, last Saturday evening. Phil Lang, Kalem editor, was elected president, and Epes Winthrop Sargent was elected secretary. Monthly meetings will be held. LOUISE HUFF She is called the "Kate Greenaway Girl of the Screen" because of her likeness to the creations of the English artist of the last generation. But LOUISE HUFF she autographs her pictures Louise Huff, and under the name she writes "Lubin." Miss Huff is a product of the South, having been born in Columbus, Ga. WESTON APPOINTED MANAGER OF ALMO \Jf R. Fred K. Weston, one of the best known of younger element in the motion picture business in Chicago and the Middle West, was appointed general manager of the Almo Feature Film Co., of Chicago, on Tuesday, October 21st, succeeding Mr. D. A. McKinney, who recently resigned. Mr. Weston's experience in the business has been of a varied nature, including practically every branch from the conducting of a State-right feature to the management of an office. Mr. Weston has been successful in his past ventures, and it is expected that under his guidance the concern will continue to prosper and grow. Bushman Plays Chicago Theatres Francis X. Bushman, leading man of the Essanay Film Mfg. Co., has contracted with several of the betterclass motion picture theatres in and about Chicago to give talks at these show-houses on the making of the motion picture. Mr. Bushman has an interesting act that lasts about a half-hour. Fifteen minutes of this time is used in explaining the actual making of the motion picture and during the remainder of the act Mr. Bushman lectures on a picture in which he portrays the leading character. Both sections of his offering are interesting. "S. & H." Buys M. & F. Only a few weeks ago we recorded the facts in these columns that A. G. Spencer and Mr. Hirschberg had purchased the General Special Feature Film Co. for $11,250 from Joseph Hopp et al. These two enterprising young men have added another feature exchange and a large program to their business by their purchase on Monday, October 20th, of the M. & F. Feature Film Service from Mr. Munstuck. The M. & F. has been known as one of Chicago's best and most successful exchanges booking multiple reels. Its growth and success have been remarkable in view of the great number of feature exchanges that have sprung into existence in the last twelve months. Those who are intimate with the situation in Chicago consider this a good buy. Its consolidation with the General Special, another strong feature exchange, it is expected, will rank these two young gentlemen and their concern amongst the foremost in the Middle West. In order to accommodate their increased program it was found neces sary to find larger quarters. On about November 1st the General Special Feature Film Company — as the concern will be known — will move into the Powers Building, where a number of other feature exchanges are now located. With their enlarged holdings, this company will in the future release four features each week, selected personally by either Mr. Spencer or Mr. Hirschberg. Notes The Photoplay Co., Inc., of Chicago, a concern handling accessories and machine supplies, as well as repair parts, is one of the recent entrants into the supply game in Chicago. Robert R. Barker, general manager of this concern, who just returned from a trip through the South in the interest of his company, claims that the sales surpassed his expectations. A. V. Smith, brother to A. E., of the Vitagraph Company, is spending a few weeks in Chicago. Mr. Smith is traveling through the Middle West and expects to return to New York City the first part of November. WALLACH WITH WORLD SPECIAL Charles Wallach has severed his connections with the True Feature Company and is now with the World Special Films Corporation. 110 West Fortieth Street. TWO MASTEE MINDS Richard Harding Davis, author, and Augustus Thomas, playwright, swapping ideas over script of "Soldiers of Fortune," which they are producing in Cuba for All Star Feature Corporation.