The Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1913)

292 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD giiiini'i CORRESPONDENCE aUHIMfllltlM^ NEW ENGLAND. (")N Tuesday, April 1, there was a good sized ^ gathering of exhibitors at the exhibition room of the Massachusetts branch of the Exhibitors' League, while the General Film Company was showing its advance releases. It was reported that two exhibitors, Messrs. McManus, of Riverpoint, R. I,, and Cahill, of Brockton, Mass., were on the eick list, which fact immediately stirred the exhibitors to actloo. A contribution was raised on the spot, and elegant bouquets of flowers were sent to the indisposed managers. Superintendent of Boston Schools, Franklin B. Dyer, speaking at the City Club, Boston, on April 2, stated that In his opinion, the harm in motion pic-* ture shows for young boys Is not in the pictures, which, he believes, are carefully watched over, but in the fact that the show is only a passive amusement. Mr. Dyer delivered himself of this erudite opinion at the monthly meeting of the delegates from Boston to the United Improvement Association. Mr. Dyer also thinks that baseball Is bad for boys, because they become so much taken up with the sport. Of course it is universally understood that baseball is a great thing for youngsters, as it develops mind and body. Mr. Dyer can hardly understand Motography, if he calls it a passive amusement, for there is nothing that so easily stimulates the mind to activity. Mr. Dyer should realize that moving pictures are a great agency for education, and as an educator, should give the cinematograph the serious study and careful attention it so richly deserves. Kalem's masterpiece, "From the Manger to the Cross," Is making a decided bit in Boston, not only in moving, but also in still pictures. By permission of the Kalem Company, the Boston Herald Is printing, each night, large photographs of the various scenes going to make up the great religious Kalem feature. The fair Lillian Russell appeared at Symphony Hall, Boston, this week, at prices up to $1.50, in her entertainment entitled, "How to Live 100 Years." Lillian was assisted by Klnemacolor pictures, to help explain her "beauty secrets." H. Apperson Jones, the young speaker, who created so much favorable comment last year, when lecturing at Tremont Temple, Boston, with the Klnemacolor pictures of the "Indian Durbar," returned to Boston this week, in presentation of "The Making of the Panama Canal," and "Actual Scenes of the Balkan War." Mr. Jones delivers an unusually effective and instructive lecture on these pictures. A fire that started in Gane's Witch Theater, 213 Essex street, Salera, Mass., on April 2, threatened to injure the business section of the city. It is thought that the fire started in the manager's office, Just off the second balcony. The Empire and Salem theaters were both endangered by this fire. The Witch Theater was empty when the fire broke out", but the smoke poured into the nearby Empire Theater, and a panic was narrowly averted. Gane's Witch Theater was built last summer, and opened this fall. It was an expensive theater and one of the most modern in the state. Moving plctnres and vaudeville programs were the policy. Mr. William Gane, of New York, the lessee, will probably have the theater rebuilt. The total loss was about $100,000, a good part of which figure Is the damage sustained by the Witch Theater. Last week, a testimonial was held at the Gem Theater, East Boston, In aid of the widow of the late Mr. Morrison. Mr. Greenberg, owner of the G'em, gave, free of charge, the use of his theater and Us employees, and the Variety Booking offices of Boston, furnished the vaudeville talent gratis. A very neat sum was turned over to Mrs. Morrison. Frank LeBrowne, who. at" various times, managed the Pastime. Beacon. Old South, Washington, Shawmut, Star and several other theaters in and around Boston, has deserted that end of the theatrical business and is now a vaudeville artist. The Broadway Theater, Springfield, Mass., one of the string of theaters owned by the Goldstein Brothers* Amusement Company, is to play stock company attractions for the summer season, after which it will return to the regulation programs of vaudeville and pictures. John J. Moewer, manager of the Nemo Theater, New York, has been transferred to the Nelson Theater. Springfield, Mass. Mr. Joseph Carr, formerly of the Nelson, has been switched to the Gotham Theater, New York. Senator Froltch has introduced a bill in the legislature of Connecticut, which calls for the operation of moving picture theaters on Sundays. The Senator is a true friend of this industry, and every Connecticut exhibitor should do his share towards getting this bill passed. It will mean a great deal to the moving picture men of tills state. Manager Eslow, of the Boston offices of the Mutual Film Corporation, finds business very good in this territory, and believes that' his new offices at HOG Boy Is ton street, are Just about the finest ever. Mr. Eslow states that business is so good through Maine that be will open a branch at Watervine, in charge of Mr. Fred Murphy. "The Amusement Problem," was the subject of Rev. Rockwell Potter's address before the Center Church, Hartford, Conn., last week. Rev. Potter spoke extremely well of the pictures, saying that they accomplished much more good for the people than the high class theaters. E. S. Delaney is taking bids on his new theater, which is to be built at Norwich, Conn., this spring. Plans have been drawn up by W. H. McElfatrick ft Company, of New York, which call for a theater seating very nearly 1,200 people. The house will be thoroughly modern in every particular, and will be erected at considerable cost. Mr. Delaney states that he will leave no stone unturned to produce the finest theater in Norwich, devoted to photoplays and vaudeville. The Empire Theater, Pittsfield, Mass., which has been playing stock company attractions for the last thirty weeks, has closed temporarily, and Harold B. Franklin, who managed the house, is sought by the deputy sheriffs. It seems that business at the Empire was very bad, and that the various employees did not receive their salaries. The house will probably open before long, with programs of vaudeville and pictures. Another theater in this territory, at Lowell. Mass., found that the public did not care for stock company shows and was forced to close. This house also will reopen with attractions of vaudeville and photoplays, before long. S. Z. Poli's theater, Springfield, Mass., which has been playing vaudeville and picture programs, changed its policy on April 7, when it opened with stock company attractions. The new Broadway Theater, also of Springfield, Mass., will play stock company shows, starting April 21. Next fall, both the Poli and Broadway theaters will revert to vaudeville and pictures. A benefit performance was given last Sunday night at Poli's Theater, Bridgeport, Conn., for the flood sufferers. Manager Reichenbach gave a particularly good program, and turned in over $1,200. It was a worthy cause, and Bridgeport people crowded Poli's to the limit. Manager Walter T. Murphy, of the Lyceum Theater, New London, Conn., gave a benefit performance at his vaudeville and picture house this week, and sent about $310 to Dayton. Ohio. Manager Al. V. Rosenberg, of the Rockland Theater. Rockland, Me., has given over his theater for April 14, 15 and 16. to the Universalist Society, which is to give a performance of its own. S. W.. Pollack, who formerly owned the Lyric Theater, Natick, Mass., writes from Europe that he will return to Boston the first week in May. Mr. Pollack is making a thorough European trip, and is seeing all the sights. F. H. Wotton, the present owner of tMe Lyric, is doing a very nice business with photoplay programs. On Sunday, April 6, for the first time in the history of Salem, Mass., the moving picture theaters were open. Mayor Hurley gave special permission, and established a precedent by permitting three of the photoplay theaters to open for a benefit performance for the Ohio flood sufferers' fund. Every cent taken in at the box offices of the Salem, Federal and Cozy theaters was given to the fund. Now thai the precedent has been established, the Salem exhibitors should try to get Mayor Hurley to grant them licenses for every Sunday night. nKNRY. LOUISVILLE. MOVING picture patrons have seen nothing new in Louisville recently. With transportation facilities northward and eastward crippled, as a result of the floods, few new films have arrived In Louisville of late, and exhibitors have been thrown on their own resources. Emergency films of all descriptions have been dug up and handed out to patrons. By exchanging these subjects, the managers of houses got through the worst of their troubles fairly well, none being forced to close down because of a scarcity of pictures. One or two new features found their way into Louisville in some way, and these helped out wonderfully. One or two exhibitors resurrected films dealing with Ohio in some shape or other, and these proved immensely popular, with Dayton the center of national attention. Railroads are now getting trains through and tlie worst is over. The picture famine is fast being relieved, and exhibitors are able to give their patrons some brand new reels. While motion picture men of Louisville suffered Indirectly from the flood, those of New Albany, Ind., just across the Ohio' River, were less fortunate. The Ohio rose to the highest point It has attained In years, resulting in the shutting off of power in the Indiana city. This meant that every motion picture house in New Albany was forced to shut down. This suspension came on Sunday, March 30, one of the best days of the week, and cut in heavily on receipts. The cessation of activities was shortlived, however. Repairs were made and with the water receding, exhibitors again got into action, the loss being confined to a single evening. Union operators and musicians are returning to work In Louisville, replacing the non-union men who manipulated the machines after the beginning of the strike. The non-union men seemed to be satis fied with this arrangement, receiving a couple of weeks' pay as a bonus. The old operators are taking hold where they left off several months ago, and the situation Is in good shape In every essential. Shubert's Masonic Theater in Louisville has been given over to motion pictures during the past week, "Cleopatra" holding the stage there for six days. Helen Gardner appeared to splendid advantage in the Bix-reel subject, and the combination drew big crowds. Twenty-five cents was the admission price. The Colonial Amusement Company, of Lexington, Ky., has adopted a unique method of stimulating attendance at its two houses In that city. The company has Issued coupon books, containing thirty flve-cent tickets. The hooks are sold for $1. This means that children's tickets to the theaters cost 3Vs cents, those of adults costing 6% cents. While officers of the Colonial believe the plan a good one, many of the most astute exhibitors in the State frown on such methods. It is safe to say that such a plan will never gain wide favor in tbe Bluegrass State, especially in Louisville, where the business is on a higher plane than ever before. "Tbe Princess" has been the name selected for the new motion picture house at Russellvllle, Ky. Out of 1131 names submitted in the prise contest, 151 contained the title adopted. One hundred and six persons suggested the "Palace," while "Wonderland" ran a close third, with 68 exponents. Waiter Starks was the first person to suggest "Princess," and will receive a season pass to the new bouse. The contest aroused much Interest, and assisted in introducing the new theater to the Russellville public. The Princess Theater, of Hopklnsville, Ky., recently celebrated its first anniversary, carnations being presented to every patron. A special program was presented, including several added features. The Nashville Trio, a musical act, was included, and scored heavily. The house was suitably decorated, and unusually big crowds more than made up for the extra expense of the occasion. It is planned to celebrate future anniversaries in even more elaborate style. Manager Otto Brown, of the Manring Theater, of Mlddlesboro, Ky., has completed plans for extensive Improvements in his house, to take place during the coming summer. Box seats are to be added, while the stage will be extended backward and will be made broader. The house will be closed down temporarily. . Work has begun on the big new motion picture house to go up at Plkeville, Ky. Tbe Sam Saad Mercantile Company is the projector of the new house, which will have a seating capacity of 800. The theater wifT be 40 x 100 feet, cement blocks being used largely. Vaudeville will be mixed with motion pictures, according to present plans. The Empress Theater, at Central City. Ky., has changed hands, the Consolidated Theaters Company selling to the Empress Theater Company, formed to take over the house. The Empress is a new theater, being erected only recently by the Consolidated G L Small is at the bead of the new company which now owns the house. The transfer has caused the National Moving Picture Company, of Louisville, to decide not to build at Central City as originally intended. The National has announced that the first of the theaters it intends to build will go up at Crescent Hill, in the eastern section of Louisville. Plans have been completed, providing for the erection of a building 50 by 200 feet, with a seating capacity of 600. The structure will contain two stores, as well as the theater. Work will begin at once and the theater will be ready for the public about June 10. Moving picture* will be shown, according to plans of officers of the National, which is a new corporation. A C Dinglestedt, owner of the Norwood Theater, in Cincinnati. 0., will erect another big theater at Main and Mills avenue in that city shortly. The new house will contain 1,000 seats. Mr. Dinglestedt is now In Columbus, O., protecting the Interests of animated picture men during the session of the Ohio Legislature at the capital. Important bills are to be introduced shortly, It is expected G. D. CKA1.N, J lv. IN THE MIDDLE WEST. SUNDAY theaters won in Beloit, W1b., by a majoritv of 75 votes. C E. Zink, formerly of Gllman. 111., has engaged in the moving picture business at Remington, Ind. The Benlor class of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., Is contemplating films of the commencement exercises. _..„ The North Dakota Amusement Company, of « Huston N. D., has been incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000. The incorporators are: William C., James W. and Mary R. McGuiness. I vman H. Howe was due In the Ohio flood district with his pictures when the disaster came, and his schedule was badly npset. The White House Theater and Amusement company of Racine, Wis., has been incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000. The incorporators are: A P Bnetow, F. Whaley and William Jones. The Diamond Theater, a moving picture house at Twenty-fourth and Lake streets, Omaha, Neb., was completely demolished by the tornado Jhe place was closed for the supper hour, but eighteen persons were Inside, who bad gone In to escape the wind which preceded the tornado. Mrs. O. G. uncn. wife of the proprietor, was bruised. The Star Land Amusement Company, of Michigan