Moving Picture News (Jul-Oct 1913)

30 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS On the Road ARE motion pictures on the increase or the decline? We cannot feel the pulse of the public by the business done in large cities, where motion picture theatres are like other sorts of amusements, an attraction for the transient element. The man who goes on the road is more apt to answer the question. I have found less theatres in Trenton, Burlington, New Haven, Hartford and many other towns than they had a few years ago, and this fact alone should be a warning. If the theatres now in operation were of a better class we could say that larger and better equipped houses are taking the place of a number of small theatres. This is not the case, as the theatres doing the business of to-day are the same as they were four years ago. This lack of improvement does not show an increase in the popularity of the little pictures. What is the reason? My answer is, too long programmes. This subject of too long programmes will be discused in other columns. Spring City, Pa., is a small town. In 1908 Mr. James A. Sturges erected the "Gem," and spared no money to have the finest theatre in the section. GEM THEATRE, SPRING CITY, PA. as can be seen by the accompanying photograph. Everything was so much up to date that the attendants were uniformed. During the past years the public interest has declined so much that the Gem, while still doing a good business, docs not sec the need to increase its small seating capacity of 200 chairs. The second theatre of Spring City has been closed for some time and is for sale. Royersford, Pa. — Crossing the bridge over the Schuylkill River, we find Royersford, another small but prosperous burg on account of its stove and glass works. In 1908 Royersford had two regular motion picture theatres, with the Opera House showing pictures also. To-day, while the Opera House is still showing pictures, the "Star" shows only twice a week, while the other house has been closed and transformed into a store. The Star was a model theatre in many ways, had its own transforming plant, etc. Phoenixville, Pa., is not much more prosperous. In 1908 Phoenixville had three regular motion picture theatres, with the "Colonial," the opera house of the place, showing pictures. Today two of the local shows have closed their doors, leaving the "Phoenix Theatre" the only one of the trio in operation. The New Phoenix Theatre is not a new house, but on old second-story auditorium with a seating capacity of 398 chairs. The Phanix holds its trade because Mr. Louis R. Walters is an experienced showman. He shows a good picture on a moderatesize screen. Lovers of motion pictures do not object to climb one flight of steps when their efforts are rewarded with a good projection. In talking of the size of the picture, Mr. Walters said: "Horses on a big screen look like elephants," and he is right. The Colonial, the Opera House, is still doing a good business. Why not? The Colonial has the best location, is well known, and its manager, Mr. H. R. Brownback, is not only experienced but extremely popular. The Savoy was erected about six months ago to take the place of the two defunct ones. It is an old market-house remodeled, with about 400 chairs. The owner and manager is a Mr. Kulp, a liverj^-stable man, who did not feel inclined to give any information, not even his name. He was interested in nothing, except to take up the tickets himself. It pays a manager to keep posted on everything pertaining to motion pictures and to read some of the magazines. The curtain is too large for the size of the auditorium. A big picture destroys the photographic quality, shows the defects of the film and magnifies the scratches and dirt of old films. The arrangement of the side lights of the Savoy Theatre is very poor and docs not answer the purpose. Philadelphia, Pa. — The new theatre in course of construction on Market street, near Seventeenth street, to be managed by Mr. Frank W. Buhler, of the Bijou, of 1205 Alarket street, will prove an ornament to the neighborhood and should be a moneymaker. On account of the neighborhood it is the intention of Mr. Buhler to pay a good deal of attention to the music, and for this purpose he is installing an expensive pipe-organ. The new theatre is expected to open by the middle of October. Mr. Walter C. Foley is planning a $100,000 vaudeville and motion picture theatre on Fifty-second street and Chester avenue. Mr. Geo. W. Bradenburgh and his successful film exchange are now located in their new quarters, 802 Vine street. As we enter the second floor — 28x120 — we find a spacious, welllighted reception-room. On the left of the reception-room, and facing Vine street, are the private offices of Mr. Bradenburgh, of Charles Mack, the manager of the film exchange, and the sales department for cameras, projectors, perforators, etc. On the right of the reception-room is the exchange department proper. (Continued on page 45) TRADE NOTES Mr. Adam Kessel, Jr., president of .the New York Motion Picture Corporation, became the proud father of a little girl last week. Congratulations, "A. K." The True Feature Company, of the World's Tower Building, 110-112 West Fortieth street, is opening up branches in various parts of the country. "True Features" should succeed, and we hope will. General Manager Isidore Bernstein is a happy man, for Mrs. Bernstein and his little girl, "Tommy," have arrived in Los Angeles and are comfortably installed at his Hollywood bungalow, in the foothills, with his sister, Mrs. Janowitz. They are a jolly party. It is a little too early to ask Mrs. Bernstein, "What do you think of the climate?" but this will come very soon, it does to everybody, often before they get off the train. Here is one on Carl Laemmle. While on his recent Western visit he had occasion to go to the studio offices late one night. He drove up to the office door in the auto and started in. but was stopped by the night watchman, who demanded to know what he wanted. What is more. Mr. Laemmle had to get someone to identify him before he got into the offices of the company of which he is president. The watchman murmured, "This is where I lose my job." but <vas surprised when he was personally complimented by Mr. Laemmle.