Moving Picture World (May 1919)

Mav 3, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 663 PICTURE BUSINESS GOOD IN DIXIE Nat Bregstein, Moving Picture World Commissioner, Continues His Travels in the Southland, Discovering Prosperit}^ in Birmingham, Mobile and New Orleans WE CONTINUE the reports Nat Bregstein has rendered on conditions and picture activities in the South. In recent issues we have published his statements on territory leading from Richmond to Atlanta and in this installment are recorded his findings in Birmingham, Mobile and New Orleans. During his travels Bregstein's chief purpose has been to extend the subscription circulation of Moving Picture World and it is gratifying to record that he has everywhere been received with courtesy — and orders for subscriptions. The standing and repute of Moving Picture World seems to be well established and maintained in the Southland in equal proportion with other sections of the country. The Situation in Birmingham. Odeon Two No. 1 and Odeon Two No. 2 are two theatres in Birmingham with two entrances, and run by two different parties. Odeon Two No. 1, with a seating capacity of 350 with admission price of 10 cents, recently raised its price from 5 cents and is getting a good business. H. A. Rensford is the manager. The other Odeon Two, No. 2. run by Marvin Wise, has a seating capacity 250 and also charges 10 cents. This house is also getting good business. It uses Fox, Universal and special attractions. There is still another Odeon Two in town run by Mr. King. The Mudd-Colly .-\musement Company •control three theatres — the Rialto seating 500, with admission price of 20 cents; the Princess, a second run house, seating 400, admission price 10 cents, and the Trianon seats 600, admission price 20 cents. This concern uses Select, Goldwyn, World, Mutual, etc. All theatres are doing well. Another house in the congested section of the town run by H. Hurry caters to the colored folk, seats 490, admission price of 10 cents. It is one of the prettiest houses the traveler has ever seen catering to a colored population. Down in Mobile. Some of the exhibitors in Mobile are not satisfied with retailing movies, but are going in the wholesale business, selling coupons. For instance Mr. King, proprietor of the Crown Theatre, a house seating 500 issues a coupon for five 10 cent admissions and also issues another ticket for $1.25 worth of seats. Mr. King says recently in addition to the regular city license of $225 the exhibitor must pay (an ordinance has been passed which makes him pay) $10 a day extra if the admission price is 25 cents or over. J. Shimkowitz is another Mobile exhibitor who is issuing coupons. He runs the Queen Theatre, a 260 seater with admission price of 15 cents. He uses Fox, Bluebird and Pathe. Mr. Frankel runs the Crescent Theatre, seating 300. This is a 5 cent house. Miss Luck owns the Empire, a house seating 500, with admission price of 10 and 15 cents. Montgomery's Four Theatres. Montgomery, Ala., has four theatres in the movie line. The Empire, seating 952, has an admission price of 15 cents. This house has an eight-piece orchestra and uses Select, Goldwyn and Fox-Standard. The three other houses are the Plaza, Colonial and Strand. All of the theatres are owned by the Strand Amusement Corporation, under the supervision of Mr. Wilby, general manager. Covering the Crescent City. New Orleans has a number of suburban houses pretty much scattered throughout the city. The Hippodrome (run by J. Brennon), a house seating 1,000, uses mostly Fox. Nat Ehrlich's Isis Theatre seats 632 on an admission price of 5 and 10 cents. It uses Paramount, Select and Universal. Air. Jacobs runs the Prytanna which seats 750, with an admission price 5 and 10 cents. The Poplar seats 500; admission 5 and 10 cents; uses Paramount, Select, Goldwyn and First National. Jake Miller owns the Empire, a 500 seat combination house, musical comedy and pictures; admission 10 and 15 cents; uses everything. Mr. Febacher, of Wonderland, seating 234, has a nickel house giving a one hour show. He intends to increase his seating capacity shortly. Maurice Bair's Napoleon Theatre seats 1,500 with an admission price of 5 and 10 cents. Good Business Is the Rule. Ben J. Piazza, manager of the Palace Theatre, seating 2,300 with an admission of 10 to 25 cents, runs Keith vaudeville and pictures. This house uses Fox first run; World Pictures and Mutual. It has an eight piece orchestra. We interviewed with Mr. Pearce, of the Pearce Amusement Company, who own and operate five theatres — the Newcomb seating 400, admission 5 cents; the Bijou Dream, seating 440, admission 5 cents; the Rialto, seating 350, admission 10 cents; the Trianon, seating 500, admission 10 cents; the Tudor, seating 700 admission from 10 to 25 cents. Mr. Pearce reports remarkably good business for all theatres. Large Capacities and Good Shows. At Loew's Crescent Theatre, seating 1,600, Manager Kattman says business is great. This house is open all summer. Sobel, Richards & Shear control three theatres — the Washington, seating 900 admission 5 and 10 cents ; Fine .\rts, seating 750, admission 5 and 10 cents and the CarroUton, seating 700, Murr ys Beseeching the Parrot Not to Fly Away. You See, She's "The Delicious Little Devi And. of course, you taii't blame the parrot in this, his first appearance with Universal.