Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

22 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS ing rural sections of the South. Still another motion picture gives instructions to the stock-raiser. This is called the "Importation and Exportation of Livestock." It depicts the inspection of cattle on leaving and entering our ports to prevent the carrying of diseases. Farmers will welcome a knowledge of this side of animal husbandry, as well as the opportunity to note the sanitary precautions exercised during transportation to and from the quarantine stations, the excellent barns at these stations and the consideration given the fourfooted passengers on the steamer. The Office of Public Roads also has some films to offer the Rural Service. These show methods of roadbuilding with various kinds of material, as well as the ways of repairing old roads with the idea of the greatest durability. This includes some views of our bad roads with the dilemma of being "stuck in the mud.'' Good roads have become a necessity to-day with the advent of the automobile as a common means of transportation of farm products and pleasant travel in rural districts. It will therefore interest the farmers to know how to build and maintain their public highways. Some scientific views also form a part of the exhibition to be offered by the field experts of the government. The officials of the Rural Service are most enthusiastic over the results already attained in teaching agriculture by motion pictures. Interviewing those connected with the work brought forth these statements: "We feel confident of the success of our new departure. People of limited education are met on a ground within the scope of their understanding and are entertained, while the remarks which supplement the. pictures add to their fuller knowledge of the subject shown. YVe expect crowded houses everywhere, and no doubt in some towns we will be the first in the field. HOW CATTLE ARE SHIPPED The government is doing a wise thing in establishing a motion picture school of agriculture." Willard Howe. FAREWELL DINNER TO BRANDT A number of English newspapermen and members of the Trans-Atlantic Film Company, which was recently formed to handle the Universal productions in Great Britain, gave a farewell dinner in London to Joe Brandt, the Trans-Atlantic's publicity manager, on the eve of his departure for America. The dinner, which was held at the Boulogne restaurant, Corrard Street, London, W. C., was a great success and brought forth many tributes to Mr. Brandt. John D. Tippetts and J. Avery, of the Trans-Atlantic Company, took turns in the chair, while Lewis Roach, who will take Mr. Brandt's place as publicity manager and editor of the Trans-Atlantic Company's publications, proposed the toast to the departing guest. Among those present were Charles Lane, of the Exchange Telegraph Company and Lloyd's News; Oscar Rosenberg and Horace J. Simpson, of Shuroy's publications; L. Pounds, Evening News; Mr. Watson, Kinematograph Weekly; Messrs. Hoyes and Parrott, the Bioscope; S. W. Fredman, the Cinema; J. H. Davies, F. W. Taylor, Clarence Hunt, Mr. Catlin, S. Kennard, C. B. Betting, L. A. Harrap, A. Henderson and J. E. PrydeHughes. T. J. West Talks on Conditions Here Famous British Showman Pleased by Developments in Picture Art TJ. WEST, the well-known English film man, who is noted for his deep knowledge and wide experience of showmanship, has just returned to England after a visit to Australia and a tour of the United States and other countries. During this time Mr. West made a study of the motion picture industry in the various countries which he passed through, and his observations on conditions in this country have unusual interest, especially from the exhibitor's standpoint. Mr. West, who stopped in the United States on his way to Australia, spent some time here and met many of the leaders in the motion picture industry. In a recent interview, obtained immediately after his return to England, he gave some of the conclusions he had reached relative to the industry here. "In New York, Chicago and other cities," said Mr. West, "I met many of the principal people in the motion picture trade and had an opportunity to gage the wonderful developments which had taken place since I was there before. In the picture theatres, vaudeville is being gradually eliminated, better orchestras being provided in its place, with the result that business, from the exhibitor's point of view, has greatly improved. "I always did contend that American exhibitors began at the wrong end by charging five or ten cents for admission, as though their entertainments were only of small worth — which is very different from what I did in Australia. Having proved, however, that in Australia I could get three shillings, two shillings and one shilling, they evidently saw that it was better to eliminate cheap vaudeville, get better orchestras and better projection, and run their shows altogether on a higher plane. "At the Astfcr Theatre, New York, for instance, 'Quo Vadis?' had a solid run of twenty-two weeks at prices ranging from twenty-five cents to one dollar, and then it was only taken off to make room for other plays previously booked. And I understand from Mr. Kleine that it is still running at another theatre." J. H. HALLBERG MOVES INTO LARGER QUARTERS J. H. Hallberg, the motion picture supply man. has taken the whole floor at 36 East Twenty-third street, the change being necessitated by the growth of his business. Mr. Hallberg says that the Hallberg A. C. to D. C. economizer is giving satisfaction wherever used. To prove his point he cites the following letter which he received recently: "Newburgh, N. Y. "Dear Sir: "The Kinemacolor service starts to-day, and judging from the many favorable comments on the. Panama Canal pictures, they should make a big hit. "Hallberg" A. C. to D. C. Economizer is a wonder. It worked perfectly from the start and we do not have to use but one-half of the current it produces. The black and white, pictures we showed for two days, were the talk of the town. The operators said the pictures in Pc ighkeepsie and Newburgh were the best they had ever seen and we both use the "Hallberg" A. C. to D. C. Economizer. "Yours very truly, . "F. M. TAYLOR. "Academy of Music."