Moving Picture World (Aug 1920)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 14. 1920 SS2 Human Listening Posts Keep Manager Informed on What His Public Desires A Bit of the Light Fantastic. Being exhibited by Bebe Daniels in her new Realart picture “You Never Can TelL” nun;:;:irxamiiiminmnnimumuumiimimiiininmniiu;iimiirtmimmm«»umnninniiiiiuuuiiiiniiuiiiii;iiiiii> Mae Murray to Go to Europe Mae Murray, Paramount star, has decided to take a real vacation of a month or six weeks in Europe, following the style of others in the motion picture industry. She and her husband. Robert E. Leonard, have booked passage on the Olympic for August 7. Miss Murray says she is not going to think about pictures at all until she returns. David Powell, who was featured with M iss Murray in the George Fitzmaurice productions, is taking a rest in the Maine woods. Inouye, Japanese Artist, May Play in This Country MASAO INOUYE, one of the prominent legitimate stage actors in Japan, is now in New York. He will probably appear in a screen play of Japanese life shortly, incorporating with one of the big producers in this country. The International Motion Picture Company of Tokio, said to be the largest corporation of its kind in Japan, is his sponsor. He visits America' not only to make a production, but to study the present condition of the picture industry. The picture will be distributed both in Japan and here. Mr. Inouye has had several hits in Japan, playing the leading parts in Gorgori’s “The Inspector General,” “Echegaray’s “The Son of Dorjuan,” Hoffmanstahl’s “The Fool and Death,” and Ibsen’s “The Bells,” etc. Mr. Suzuki, New York representative of the International Motion Picture Company, whose address is 159 West Forty-seventh street, is Mr. Inouye’s manager. Weisfeldt Becomes Manager Edward J. Weisfeldt became manager of the Alhambra Theatre, wherein the attractions distributed by Associated First National Pictures, Inc., are presented in Milwaukee, succeeding George Fischer. Mr. Weisfeldt’s promotion comes as a result of long and faithful service with the Saxe Brothers. Starting his theatrical career as a sign painter with the Saxe interests when their enterprises consisted for the main part of the Crystal Theatre, a vaudeville house on Second street, Mr. Weisfeldt went through almost every position and was recently appointed to the post of “director of exploitation.” From that place he advanced to the position of manager. ENTENSIYE alterations to increase the seating capacity from 968 to 2,216 have begun on the Arcade Theatre, Paducah. Kv. The management states that enlargement is necessary through the acquisition of the Associated First National Pictures sub-franchise for Paducah. The work is expected to be completed in time for the reopening of the theatre, about the middle of September. In addition to the increase in capacity the plans for the alteration provide for a remodeling throughout. The entrance will be reshaped and fitted out to follow the line of the Capitol Theatre in New York and a promenade running the full length of the auditorium (but walled off) will be constructed. The theatre is now equipped with an organ, but the size will be doubled and the orchestra increased from four pieces to eleven. After reopening the theatre will feature its musical program. Additional facilities for exploitation have also been included in the alteration plans. A large electric sign will be placed directly above the entrance and glass covered billboards will be erected entirely around the theatre on a level with the second story. These billboards are large enough to accommodate twenty-four sheets and will be equipped with marginal electric lights to provide illumination during the evening. The lobby and promenade will be equipped with frames for the holding of display matter up to the size of three sheets. Share Profits With Attaches. The Arcade Theatre Company, owner of the Paducah enterprise as well as other theatres in and around that city, announce that a profit-sharing plan put in force eight months ago would be continued. The plan calls for a monthly distribution of a share of the profits to employes of the theatre. Each employe is regarded as a stockholder in the company, the amount of his holdings being based upon the size of his salary. The share paid to attaches agrees in percentage with the dividends paid the actual holders of stocks. Another innovation of the Paducah theatre which will be continued and enlarged is the corps of “listeners.” This corps at the present time consists of five people who are not connected in any way with the management of the theatre and whose sole duty is to attend the theatre on the opening night of any picture and submit a report on remarks made by people sitting near them relating to the picture, the theatre or anything else for which the management is responsible. In this way the theatre keeps in touch with its audience more closely than any plan that had ever been used and by acting upon the criticisms or praise which were reported by the “listeners” a policy has resulted that has made the theatre popular. The corps of listeners will be enlarged to eleven when the alterations are completed, as the management wants a listener for each 200 seats in the capacity. Presidential Straw Vote Is Attracting Wide Interest CITY-WIDE interest in practically every locality where a theatre is cooperating in the presidential straw vote being undertaken by the Associated First National Pictures, Inc., is evidenced by reports being received at First National’s home office. An instance of the popularity of the campaign is shown by the fact that the First National exchange at Cleveland has interested the First Na tional Bank of Cleveland to such an extent that the bank will also devote space to the “voting” during the week in which the votes will be announced. In return for this accommodation on the part of the bank the First National exchange has agreed to announce the location of the bulletin at the individual theatres. The Cleveland Plain Dealer has also promised its heartiest co-operation, and it is already publishing the First National straw vote, complimenting First National on its enterprise in launching a movement of big interest and attempting an important nation-wide canvass and one of scope never before believed to be within the power of combined efforts of motion picture exhibitors. Harry Raver Now Filming Anthony Hope’s “Sophia” Harry Ra ver announces the completion of arrangements whereby an Anthony Hope “best seller” will shortly reach the screen. Following the world-wide success of “The Prisoner of Zenda,” “Rupert of Hentzau,” “The Adventure of Lad}’ Lrsula,” and other plays of Anthony Hope, their popularity extending back over many years, the author’s subsequent book, "Sophia,” after enjoying a circulation covering printings in seventeen languages and running well into six editions, was secured for picture adaptation under the title of “The Virgin of Paris.” An elaborate production of the popular Hope story is well under way by Harry Raver's staff organization, which includes Gerald Fontaine, director, with Harry Melville, assistant. Franklyn Morel and George Constantine are the photographers. Agnes Fletcher Bain prepared the adaptation. The cosmopolitan nature of the story calls for types of varied nationalities as several countries form the locale of the book. The fascinating Polish star, Diana Kareni, heads an imposing cast. Among the principal artists are Walter Gordon, William Creswisk, Clara Denvil, Philip Ashley, Lewis J. Mortimer, Florence Temple, Marjorie Strickland, J. R. Phelps and Marie Paton. Harry Raver will release “The Virgin of Paris” in the early fall season. Hemmer Celebrates Making of His First Production AN innovation in picture making in the East was the celebration held recently at the Benedict studios in College Point, L. I., on the occasion of the completion of the first of the Hemmer Superior Productions, marking “Ted” Hemmer’s debut as a producer in his own right. The studio was formerly Donnelly’s dancing pavilion, and this celebration recalled the days when it was the stamping ground for many political festivities. In one end. an elaborate ballroom set had been erected, extending the entire width of the floor, with a tiny stage housing a jazz band. Outside the main entrance a bar (reminder of the old days of the place, and installed for atmospheric purposes only) was erected for the dispensing of soft drinks, and was complete even to the brass rail. Altogether it was a highly enjoyable occasion: and the festivities lasted until the early morning. Among those present were Harry Leonhardt, of Los Angeles: Henry Sedler, Col. Harry S. Howland, H. Douglas Brown, vice president of the company, and F. Ernest Grub, secretary of the firm.