Moving Picture World (Aug 1919)

666 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 2, 1919 which he announces is being well received by many already interviewed. To quote Mr. Eckhardt : "Our fall line-up appeals to the smaller as well as the larger theatres. I expect to be in a position to announce first run houses in Chicago within the coming ten days." Chicago Picture Thieves in Clutch of the Law CHICAGO film circles have been much perturbed by the recent revelations in the matter of film thefts in the city. It is exceedingly difficult to write anything definite at the time about these thefts, owing to the natural inclination of exchange managers to keep all information sub rosa, and to the enforced reticence of those specially engaged in the work of investigation for the theft committee of the N. A. M. P. I. Morris Titus, shipping clerk of the Unity Photoplays Co.; Izzy Cohen, shipping clerk of the Goldwyn exchange; Morris Kline, owner of a film exchange and vendor of raincoats, and Albert Leavinson, who carried the stolen films from the Goldwyn offices to the Morris Kline store, were arrested around July 2 and locked up. They were released on bail and their trial set for Wednesday, July 16, before Judge Trude, in the Chicago Avenue Police Court. The trial was postponed, however, until Thursday morning July 17. At this trial Cohen and Leavinson confessed that they were induced by Morris Titus to engage in the unlawful business as he showed them that considerable easy money could be made. Judge Trude held the four men for' the grand jury, in bonds of $1,000 each. Goldwyn Films Recovered The Goldwyn films have all been recovered by Manager Ike Van Ronkel. The list includes "Freedom of the World," "Thais," "The Manx Man" and "Oh, Johnny !" Izzy Cohen has worked in Chicago for a number of years as shipping clerk. He has been with Goldwyn for two years and prior to that was shipping clerk for the World and the Central Film Company for several years. He was always honest, so far as known, un til he made his recent, great mistake. Leavinson also, so far as known, has been straight until this time. Very mysteriously has been the disappearance recently of three Chaplin films, owned by the Exhibitors Mutual Distributing Corporation. One of these, "The Cure," disappeared about two months ago, on the way from Freeport, 111., where it was shown at the Strand Theatre by Proprietor Dittman, and afterwards shipped by him to the Mutual office in Chicago, by express. Another Chaplin disappeared on June 2, after it was shown at the Oak Theatre, in Chicago, and another disappeared about June 10. The night shipper states that this third film was checked in at the Mutual office, but he may have been mistaken. About a month and a half ago "His Birthright," featuring Sessue Hayakawa, disappeared from the Mutual offices. The shipper reported to Manager Levey that he found the film and that it was in the vault. Next day it had disappeared. Manager Levey believes that the shipper likely made a mistake regarding this film also. Exhibitor Placed Under $2,500 Bond A short time ago Manager Levey was given the tip that "The Cure" had been shown in a certain Chicago theatre. He immediately got busy and succeeded in securing the film. The exhibitor inculpated was placed under a bond of $2,500 Saturday, July 5, for his appearance. Within the next few days (from the time of writing) he will be given a hearing before the District Attorney when the date of his trial will be set. At the Magnet Exchange, this city, where it is said films are unlawfully handled, it is held that "The Red Lantern," "The Heart of Humanity," "The Carter Case," "The Red Glove" and also features of Fairbanks, Hart and Mary Pickford had been offered recently. Within the week of Monday, July 14, it was given out by reliable authority that a large number of Sidney Drew comedies, owned by Metro, were missing and that the State's Attorney had several of them in his possession. At the trial for stolen Goldwyn pictures, held July 17, in the Chicago Avenue police court, my informant says that the State's Attorney had several of these Drew comedies in the courtroom at the time and that he had seen them there. Indiana Operators Get Charter from I. A. T. S. E. ERNEST STELLINGS, operator at the Grand Theatre, Washington, Ind., furnishes the information that operators of his city recently received charter number 554 from the international office of the I. A. T. S. E. and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada. Following are the officers of the new Washington local: President, Will C. Long; vice president, Harry M. Bray; secretary-treasurer, Ernest Stellings, and financial secretary, Harry Palmer. The other members of the local are Maurice Whetsell, Robert Babrick, Virgil Grubb, Palmer Miller and Roy Queen. Mr. Stellings sent P. M. O. for the latest handbook, which he prizes as his bible on projection matters. Venus Amusement Company Formed at Gary, Indiana A J. OBRESHK and Nick Bikos, leading exhibitors in Gary, Ind., • have combined their business and formed the Venus Amusement Company, Inc.., of which Mr. Obreshk is president and Mr. Bikos vice president. This company controls a chain of seven theatres, which includes the Star in Whiting, the Indiana, Venus, Gem, Lyric, Cosmo and Royal in Gary, and the Hegewisch, in Hegewisch, 111. The Gem and Lyric, in Gary, were purchased since the incorporation of the company. Messrs Obreshk and Bikos have adopted the policy of showing only the best pictures at reasonable admissions. Catherine Calvert Goes to Ince Studios. Catherine Calvert passed through the city last week on her way to the Ince studios, where she will begin work on "Americanism," a Famous PlayersLasky feature, under the direction of Mr. Ince. This is the first of a series in which she will play the lead, under the direction of Mr. Ince. Vivian Martin Pleases Vivian Martin in "Louisiana" drew good business at Orchestra Hall during the week of Monday, July 14. This is considered her best work on the screen, and she won quite a following from Orchestra Hall patrons. The comedy, the "Unmovable Guest," with Flora Finch, in two reels, was an added attraction for the week of July 21. Fielder Joins "Big 4" Forces. E. C. Fielder, who has been division manager in the Middle West for the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation for a year, will resign that position to take up the duties of sales manager and assistant manager for the United Artists Corporation in the state of Ohio. His resignation takes effect July 26. He was appointed to his new position by Ralph O. Proctor, assistant general manager of the "Big. 4." His headquarters will be in Cleveland. Rupert Hughes Off to Culver City. Rupert Hughes stopped in Chicago, between trains, July 17, on his way to Culver City, Cal., where "The Cup of Fury," adapted from his story of that name, will be produced for Goldwyn by the Eminent Authors' Pictures Corpora