Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1909)

726 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD CORRESPONDENCE. TRAVELOGUES AND SENSIBLE SONGS WANTED. Sherman, Tex., November 4, [909. Editors The Moving Picture World: Gentlemen I am a subscriber to your paper. I use a moving picture machine and stereopticon solely for church entertainments. Will you kindly give me the address of some illustrated song slide concern that turns out nice illustrated songs other than silly and sentimental ones, something that will elevate and entertain people who do not care Tor the cheap, sentimental songs of the day? Also please t" give me the address of some rental agents who rent travelogues. Yours truly, G. S. MURPHY. I All slide makers have to keep pace with the popular demand by illustrating the trash that is turned out by the song publishers. Occasionally among these is a song that will "elevate and entertain" and your dealer can make selections for you. The Kleine Optical Company, 52 State street, Chicago, 111., make a specialty of renting travelogues or educational subjects. Williams, Brown & Earle, 918 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pa., also publish a series of illustrated travelogues. Dealers who can supply Mr .Murphy's needs will please correspond with him direct. — Editor M. P. W.| Minneapolis. Minn., October 28. 1909. Motion Picture World, New York City. Gentlemen — I have just been informed of the tragic death of Thomas A. Graves, a motion picture operator. This man has indirectly been in our employ in the last few weeks ,and was killed last night, while riding a Milwaukee freight train, at Mapleton, Minn. We know nothing of the man's former life, but, judging from his appearance, I imagine he has come from a good family. No one in Minneapolis knows anything concerning him, and I would be very thankful indeed if you would use a news item in your paper and endeavor to locate his family. II is full name is "Thomas A. Graves," dark complected, smooth face, about 27 years of age, weighs about 140 pounds, and height about 5 feet 4 inches, — neat appearing and gentlemanly manners. I have instructed the authorities at Mapleton, where he was killed, to give him as respectable a burial as possible, and if you will endeavor to locate his family, T know it will be a worthy cause. Thanking you sincerely for your most respectful consideration to the above request, T remain, Respectfully vours, JAMES V. BRYSON, Manager, The Laemmle Film Service. A PLEA FOR MORE CARE AND INTELLIGENT USE OF MACHINES AND FILM. Rockford, 111., November 6, tooq. Editor Moving Picture World: Dear Sir — Lately, in thirty days, often after tenth run, T receive films so badly scratched they look like junk. The exchanges claim it is the fault of the N. T. film, which may be true to some extent, but if operators would clean their machines and be more careful in rewinding half the remedy would be applied. 1 have read so much lately of the business ability of various exchanges and while they are getting together to make the poor exhibitor pay more for service, yet with their ability of combining, they do not seem to care what sort of an outfit or operating booth the exhibitor keeps, so long as they get the money for rentals on the early runs. Present conditions leave no chance for the smaller exhibitor to show decent pictures unless he gets tenth or fifteenth run. Now, as the life of a film in good condition after thirty days is the main profit for a film exchange, it would seem they could get together and refuse to rent an exhibitor unless he had a takeup and a Lang rewinder in the operating booth, and films would then be as good ninety days old as they are at present in twenty days. An operator, and a good one, will tell von he takes care and keeps everything clean and that a takeup is hard on the machine and makes the picture jump. The latter argument can be answered by having good mechanical knowledge, and using more care in adjustment. The fact that he takes care and keeps things clean may be true in his individual case, but 90 per cent, of operators who say they do, don't do it when they arc alone and get rushed. There are a number of exhibitors who hardly know the name of the machine they are using, and the condition of the films pr< i\es the average operator is careless and handles it like Yet it is to these exhibitors film is rented without question by the exchanges and many exchange manager-. even owners, are practically ignorant of the full necess ol an operating booth. One exchange manager told me he was afraid to enforce rules on his customers or propose Mich a system to other exchanges for fear it might queer him with i his trade as the original trouble breeder. And there you are, .Mr. Editor. J think there is a great improvement to be made. The average manager cannot see beyond the box office and the operator plugs for the end of the show. An exhibitor on the road, starting out with a new reel and the use of a Lang rewind and takeup, will find his film will be in equal or better shape in six months than a copy going through a film exchange for thirty days, On investigation and conversation you will find few' exchanges know whether their customer renews the parts which friction when worn out and they apparently give none of those details much consideration. Yours very truly, W. CLARK F.. LECTURER WANTED. Freeland, X. J., Nov. i, 1909. Moving Picture World, New York. Gentlemen — An article in your valuable paper, that good lecturers can be had, interested me very much. For the last month I did my best to locate one tliat positively could entertain. If you know of one or more, will you kindly send me his address or let them have my address, and if possible I will enter into a contract for two or more weeks. If you know of one that you know could make good, 1 would" be very grateful indeed. Vours truly, R. H. HERBERT, Manager Lyric Theater. It is now needless to travel great distances to see popular events, and the moving picture is the coming illustrated newspaper. The Johnson-Ketchel tight pictures give a better view of the details of the light than those at the ringside secured. In two weeks' time hundreds of thousands of picture show patrons will see on the screen a splendid view of the evolutions of the dirigible balloons at St. Louis. The pictures, secured by the Vitagraph Company, show close views of these monsters of the air, and the eye of the camera follows their evolutions, showing the rare sight of two of these balloons in the air and in close proximity. MMR motion pictures but when you need a Machine or supplies write to us. We are Specialists on Machines and Supplies, and we can save you money and increase your profits. C.H.D. writes: "Making a Big Hit, Business increased •wonder/u/iy "Astonishing opportunity in any locality for a Man with a little money. Experience not necessary. Easy to start. We tell you bow. We sell the M0TI00KAFH, Powers. Edison and all other Machines and Supplies. We negotiate a first class Film and Song Slide Rental Service. Wnte for Catalog. Amusement SumtlyCo.. 833 III. Bank Bldg. . 1 1 5 Dearborn St. Chicago A PERSONAL LETTER TO MOVING PICTURE EXHIBITORS Dear Friends : It gives me extreme pleasure to notify my friends through this medium, that I have finally realized my ambition and now possess my own Film Exchange. To the many friends I made while General Manager of the Improved Film Supply Company and the Sterling Film Company of New York City, I beg to announce that I will handle only a first-class Independent Film Service and an extensive supply department, where they can always be assured of a " Square deal by a Scpuare dealer." Very sincerely yours, I. BERNSTEIN. UNION FILM EXCHANGE, No. 5 N. Market Square, Harrisiurg, Pa.