The Moving Picture Weekly (1917-1919)

THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY ■31 UNIVERSALE NEW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CANADIAN NOTES. By RAYMOND R. PECK. Many Helpful Features, Including Adjustment of Claims and Preparation of Publicity, Are Taken Advantage of by Exhibitors. ITNIVERSAL has established a service department to work in cooperation with both the Mecca and Universal Exchanges, taking care of all matters calling for adjustment with exhibitors. If films or lithographic paper chance to be delayed in transit, or any one of a dozen other things occur to cause the exhibitor worry or loss, the experts in charge of the new service department take the matter up at once and see that matters are straightened out to the satisfaction of the man whose income depends upon the money-making quality of Universal films. As a matter of fact, the employees of the service department have been retained to represent the interests of the exhibitors, and although their salaries are being paid by Universal, they have been given a free hand to see that exhibitors get every dollar's worth of service to which he is entitled. In addition to adjusting claims, the new department takes care of the exhibitor's advertising and publicity, wherever such assistance is desired. Newspaper copy is prepared, handbills and special folders gotten up, and circular letters composed to meet requirements. Exhibitors are taking advantage of these co-operative features to a gratifying degree, and it will probably soon become necessary to enlarge the department, as its usefulness becomes more widely recognized. The service department as an adjunct of the exchange was first put into effect last year by the Canadian Universal Film Company, ^T. JOHN, N. B.— Circular letters have been sent out signed by the president of the Exhibitors Motion Picture League of the Maritime Provinces, requesting the members to send in suggestions as to subjects to be brought up at the September Convention in St. John. On receipt of these suggestions, for which a printed card has also been mailed, the program will be printed and mailed to the members. In this manner, only subjects of vital interest wilt be dealt with first. Arrangements are going along nicely to make this convention a big success. It is expected that a number of prominent trade officials from the United States will be present. The Imperial Theatre of St. John, N. B., was offered for use on the fourth of August for the ceremony of presentation of certificates to the returned soldiers, which took place from 4:30 to 6 o'clock. The theatre, through the courtesy of Manager Golding was placed at the disposal of the committee in charge for the public recognition of these heroes. Miss Rose Tapley has accepted an invitation to the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of the Maritime Provinces, and will appear at the convention to be held at St. John in September. TORONTO, Ont.— The aid of the movies has been invoked by the military authorities at Ottawa for the purpose of getting recruits in the Kingston and Ottawa districts. From the reports, you see, this work is proving considerably effective. The pictures exhibited throughout the districts show the various military camps and the boys in khaki at work and at play. EddieLyons-Lpehordti Looking em Over. One-Reel Nestor — Released Week of September 3. Eddie is a live wire and Lee a regular husband. But Eddie induces Lee to break away for an evening. At a restaurant their wives come in with two other men. Disguised as waiters the boys hover around their table and keep their eyes and ears open. There are lively doings for a time when matters are satisfactorily explained. There is a solid reel of good fun, great comedy entertainment in this Nestor and you know how popular Eddie Lyons, Lee Moran and Edith Roberts are. That's enough. One-Reel Victor Week of Sept. 3. Max Asher Like a certain stage star, Max simply can't make his eyes behave. The amount of comedy this inimitable comedian extracts from — "The Curse of a Flirting Heart' 9 — A record of his flirtatious adventures, can't be told in words. You'll just have to see it. Book it thru any Universal Exchange and give your patrons a chance too. CHICAGO NOTES. By IRVING MACK. £DWIN SILVERMAN, who for the past two years has been with the V. L. S. E., has been named to assume charge of the Sales Promotion Department of the Butterfly Features in this territory. Mr. Silverman commenced his duties Monday, Aug 6th. Hughey Mack, who has been known as Vitagraph's fat comedian, stopped in Chicago long enough to give out the news that he has joined the L-Ko Komedies, which are released through Universal. Julius Singer, one of the pioneers of the film game, is now in the city looking after the Alice Howell Century Comedies, distributed through the Longacre Company. I. Van Ronkel, manager of the Chicago Bluebird office, was given a surprise by the Bluebird employees when he walked into his office and found it gaily decorated, and all his employees seated around a large table filled with goodies. The occasion of the surprise was Mr. Van Ronkel's "4th" 40th birthday.