Motography (Jan-Jun 1914)

16 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XI, No. I last July and which, so far as known, has never been distributed, and after a lengthy discussion of the matter and a report from four of the national vice-presidents that they had never received a cent from Mr. Neff, it was voted to refer the matter to John B. F. Rogers, legal counsel for the Association, to take such action as was deemed necessary. Upon motion the gathering then adjourned to meet again in Cleveland, Ohio, on the first Tuesday in March, 1914. That Dutch Lunch If you were not there you missed something, and it is to be hoped you not only will be a member of the association next year, but that you will be sure and attend, because the third annual Dutch luncheon given by the Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association, Chicago local, was one of the finest little get-together meetings ever held by any association, anywhere. The Red Room of the La Salle Hotel on Thursday night, December 18, was not large enough to hold all who attended and the overflow was accommodated in the hallway. As usual, old Bill Sweeney was the magician who performed the trick, "ably" assisted by Abe Balaban and our own little extemporaneous speaker, Choyinski. From the time you entered the corridors of the eighteenth floor, where you checked your coat, until the final good-byes were said, you were made to feel entirely at home and given the entertainment of your life. The Dutch luncheon was given in honor of the visiting officials of the International Motion Picture Association and they were made to pay for their entertainment by being called upon for a few words before, during and after the meal, which was a splendid assortment of viands served on a plate, together with such liquid refreshment as ordinarily comes in mugs, and to which largely is due the fact that the town of Milwaukee is located in the United States. The magician is to be congratulated upon the excellent menu which consisted of potato salad, frankfurters, cold roast pork, boiled ham, cold roast beef, tongue, pickles, white and rye bread. The toastmaster, Mr. Choyinski, apologized for interrupting us while eating by stating that we would be honored with a song from Miss Flo Jacobson, which was very well rendered and received, after which the audience was notified that the Association officials would be called upon for a few words and those who wished to escape might do so then, although but three minutes was to be allotted to each speaker. The first speaker was C. H. Phillips, president of the Association, who very boldly related the wherefores, and whereases, and whybecauses of the Association and its hopes, and purposes, and aims, which were interestingly accorded the attention of all present, after which the Harmonious Trio entertained with songs, banjo and trombone selections. Samuel H. Trigger of New York was the next speaker and in his own inimitable way apologized for usurping the time of those present and stated that he had just received a telegram from New York which read as follows : "Either you must come to New York at once, or I will come to Chicago. Your wife, Pauline." The dreamy-eyed hall baladist sang "The Curse of an Aching Heart" with feeling, after which our own Goatman was introduced by the toast master and after a little advertising talk about Motography, wound up with a story about a little boy, which was recei\ ed with laughter. Butler and Denton then were called upon for a few songs and John Rock of the Vitagraph Company spoke in the interest of the manufacturers. Hal Johnstone, secretary and treasurer of the Operators' Union, made a speech in favor of an amalgamation between the operators and exhibitors. Frank Rembusch, of Mirror screen fame, told something of his experiences at the exhibitors' ball in New York the previous week. Fred Herrington of Pittsburgh made a short address, Mr. Hirtzberg, of a feature film concern, apologized for his inability to make a speech, C. J. Ver Halen of the News made a short address, and "Bill" Sweeney wound up with the thanks of the exhibitors for the ladies who graced the occasion with their presence. Among the other entertainers were Howard and Stadler, Egert and O'Roorke. Earl and Jennings, in songs, and the hit of the evening was Abe Balaban, in songs, assisted by Chris Whalen, the boy comedian of the Washington Theater, in characteristic dances. It was 2 :45 a. m. before the party broke up and it is to be seriously doubted whether any one present had any idea what time it was when the proceedings were brought to a close. The "Wisconsin Convention One of the best attended conventions ever held in Wisconsin occurred in Oshkosh, on the 16th and 17th of December, 1913, at the Athearn Hotel. President Neff was in attendance, and opened the convention, and was in the chair until just before the convention adjourned, when the following elected officers were installed : National Vice-President — John R. Ek, Star theater, Oshkosh. President — Harry H. Buford, Bijou and Lyric theaters, La Crosse. First vice-president — W. J. Judson, Home theater, Portage. Second vice-president — H. Z. Zander, Majestic theater, Rhinelander. Secretary — A. E. Gray, Rex theater, Oshkosh. Treasurer— Neil Duffy, Elite theater. Appleton. Sergeant at arms — C. L. Hiller, Lyric and Unique theaters, Eau Claire. Several feature film men were in attendance, one or two manufacturers and musical men. The Nichols Power's representative, showed pictures and a new motion picture machine from Chicago was on exhibition. The next convention will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in the month of April. A League organizer will be placed in the field immediately, under the instructions of the state president and secretary. The convention wound up with a big banquet, which was voted, while not the largest in attendance, the most enthusiastic, harmonious, get-together banquet ever held by the League. An Enviable Record George Terwilliger, as the author and Lottie Briscoe and Arthur Johnson, as the co-stars, are said to be rejoicing in the proud knowledge that their joint work in the "District Attorney's Conscience" and "The Parasites" resulted in the two most successful films, both from an artistic and a monetary point of view ever released by the Lubin Company of Philadelphia.