Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

1118 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 20. ' 'Split Reel" News for Theater Men THE convention and exposition, which will be held in Minneapolis in May, is receiving wide publicity through the newspapers of the Northwest. Exhibitors everywhere will be helping to boost the big show if they will ask their local newspapers to run readers which are being furnished by the convention publicity staff. The Mystic Theater, Petaluma, Calif., of which J. A. McNear, Jr., is manager, is issuing a very handy sized program. It would slip easily into a man's pocket or a woman's handbag and so be an ever ready reminder of what is going on at that theater. Another good idea in this program is that it announces at just what time the performances will begin. Mr. McNear is running matinees every day and uses only Triangle and Paramount releases. Eagle, Nebr., will have motion picture shows twice a week in the opera house. Frank Gillette, Jr., has opened the house. Jay Dundas has sold the Maynard Theater at Mitchell, S. D., to G. W. Dyckman, who will take possession at once. The large brick building at the corner of Twenty-first street and Broadway in Council Bluffs, has been converted into an up-to-date picture house, to be known as the Gem Theater. The building has been thoroughly remodeled to meet requirements, and has raised seats and tastefully decorated walls. Four 16-inch oscillating fans are to be installed, and the theater promises to be a popular place of amusement for the West End residents. D. C. McClellan, manager of the Garden Theater in Minneapolis, is advertising his features in a most timely fashion. Recently he presented "Live Wire and Love Sparks," and his electric flash in the lobby packed the theater throughout the day. When he exhibited "Drugged Waters" Mr. McClellan had a large lobby and street display arranged by one of the water companies. This attracted much attention to the house and its pictures. When "The Stars and Stripes in Mexico" was billed at the New Garden soldiers were pacing the walk in front of the theater and the house was decorated in patriotic colors. That a good artist can add materially to the attractiveness of the program is demonstrated in the four-page folder issued weekly by The Princess Theater, Frankfort, Ind. The cover design is very artistic and is printed in dull shades of purple, brown and blue prettily blended. The manager overlooked a good chance for advertising though in that his name does not appear anywhere on this program. David Stewart, manager Red Mill Theater, Hamilton, Can., planned a very unique program for his patrons in conjunction with the big war film, "The Campbells Are Coming," released by the Universal Film Company. On this oc casion Mr. Stewart invited the 173rd Scotch Regiment, commanded by Col. Bruce, to be his guests. The theater was elaborately and appropriately decorated and a special musical program prepared. The men, led by Col. Bruce, marched to the theater 650 strong, including their officers. After the show the regiment was presented with a silk flag by the employes of the Red Mill Theater. The Rev. Banks Nelson delivered an address. Mr. T. J. Stewart, member of Parliament for West Hamilton, also spoke during the afternoon. The following persons have applied for transfers for Minneapolis moving picture theater licenses: A. Harrier, 2508-2510 Central avenue, transfer from Hitchcock & Francis; William A. Kast, 2100 Washington avenue north, from D. W. Stevens; D. E. Rourk, 1307 East Franklin avenue, from P. Potvin. A. M. Brown has purchased the motion picture theater at Burlington, N. D. He operates a chain of houses which takes in Kenmare, Carpio and Donnybrook. Dreamland Theater lives up to its name in the cover design of the program, which pictures a maiden in diaphanous draperies peacefully sleeping in a hammock swung among tropical verdure. One point worthy of note and imitation in this program is that a concise summary of the plot of the photoplays to be shown is given opposite each day's program. This helps the patrons to decide which plays will particularly appeal to them, and adds to their interest in the program. Jay E. Gould, manager of the Crystal Theater at Glencoe, Minn., has the distinction of installing the first SuperKinetoscope in the Central United States. He purchased the machine from Thomas A. Edison, Inc., for $600 and says that it is well worth the price. "This is a great machine," Mr. Gould says. "It projects a perfect picture without the slightest trace of flicker." Mr. Gould cartainly is giving his patrons a good run for their money. He has a six-piece orchestra and in April played "The Birth of a Nation" for three days. He will exhibit "The Battle Cry of Peace" in May. He also has arranged to show Selig's new de luxe edition of "The Spoilers" in May. having purchased the house from Oscar Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Roman are planning to enlarge the Rex Theater at Virginia, Minn. Increasing business in the past few months has made the change necessary. The Palace Photoplay House Co. has been incorporated at Racine. Wis. The capital stock is $10,000 and the incorporators arc: Martin J. HuelTner, Edward Collins and M. E. Walker. The new concern will conduct a movie show in the Masonic Temple building, the south end of the lower floor of that building being remodeled for the house. The Zenith Feature Film Co. has had perhaps the most remarkable growth of anj' independent distributing office that has ever operated in the Northwest. Two years ago last October they started out wTith one copy of "Arizona," a six-reel feature, which did remarkable business in this territory. From that small beginning and in the remarkable short time of two years and a half they have grown until the Duluth office occupies the entire sixth floor of the Lyceum building, with perhaps thirty people necessary to handle the business. During this time they have handled a number of big film successes, one of the latest being the big war film, "Germany on the Firing Line," four copies of which have been kept busy every day for the last eight weeks. They are also distributors in the Northwest for the Ivan products, seven releases of which are now ready for booking. These productions are making exhibitors money and going big wherever used. Their recent purchase of "Silver Threads Among the Gold" is another big success and no doubt will prove a money-getter for exhibitors in this territory. The branch offices being established will be in charge of competent and thoroughly experienced film men, who have a big acquaintance and stand very high in their respective districts. Novelty Theater, Malone, N. Y., also has instituted some novelties in its program. The cover bears the inscription, "Don't throw this away, shove it in j'Our pocket — keep it handy as it gives you just the information you desire about the shows each day throughout the week." The inside front cover is devoted to a department headed "Reel Dope — devoted to the photoplay and Novelty Theater." In this department they ask for criticisms of the photoplays and suggestions for the betterment of the theater. Also they agree to publish in the program letters from their patrons telling what films they like best, pointing out errors or inconsistencies in the plot, action or costuming of the play, etc. This idea ought to prove a bond of sympathy between the patrons and manager as well as between the different patrons. The Favorite Feature Films of Minneapolis have been fortunate in securing new prints of "The Christian" from the Vitagraph Company of America, which are being released by this concern. "The Christian" is in eight reels and is from the story of the same name by Hall Caine. The Princess Theater and the Premier Theater in Sherbrooke have made a change, now using Universal Service, Blue Bird Films and Universal program. These two theaters represent the cream of the business in Sherbrooke. Roberl Kent has taken possession of the North Theater at Columbus, Nebr., The Janesville Amusement Co., of Janesville, Wis., has been incorporated. The capital stock is $5,000. The incorporators are: J. A. Strimble, Harry O. Newland and F. E. Sutherland.