Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 277 Chicago Letter Chicago Delegates to Exhibitors' National Convention. At a regular meeting of the Moving Picture Exhibitors' Association of Chicago, held in Franklin Hall, in the Fraternity Building, 19 West Adams Street, Monday, July 17, delegates and alternates were elected to attend the National Convention of Exhibitors at Cleveland on August 1st. The delegates are: Sidney Smith, of the Garfield Theater; Wm. J. Sweeney, of the Standard Theater, 63d and Halsted, and C. A. Anderson, of the Hermosa Theater, 43d and Armitage. The alternates are: Louis Frank, of the Halsted Theater, 63d and Halsted; F. O. Nielson, of the Kimball Theater, and C. C. Whalen, of the Washington Theater. In addition to the regular delegates, it is expected that a large contingent of Chicago exhibitors will attend the convention, as it is desired that next year's convention shall be held in Chicago and every legitimate effort will be made to secure it for the Windy City. A committee of exhibitors will call on the Association of Commerce, of the city, to ascertain what inducements can be offered to secure the next annual meeting. Last Monday's meeting of the association was largely attended, and it was announced that the membership had reached 220. As there are about 500 exhibitors in the city, it is expected that the membership will increase steadily, now that it has been demonstrated that the organization is in capable hands and that the objects are for the promotion of the interests of exhibitors and the welfare of the picture industry generally. At Monday's meeting, George Gilmore, of the Ideal Theater, North Avenue and Larabee Street, was elected publicity agent of the association. Before business of the association was entered upon, W. A. Daniels, president of the National Waterproof Film Company, presented the president, George Henry, with a fine gavel, which was received with great enthusiasm and a rising vote of thanks. Mr. Daniels also gave a short, interesting address, extracts from which will be found elsewhere in this issue. Winnipeg M. P. Houses are Models. Frank L. Hough, Jr., of the Kirretograph sales department, of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., made a brief stay in the city last week. During the last eight weeks Mr. Hough has covered Nebraska, the two Dakotas, Minnesota, and points in Manitoba. In Omaha, Neb., he found business in a healthy state. Nicholas Amos, owner of a circuit of licensed picture houses in that section, is spoken of by Mr. Hough as a gentleman of broad experience, who takes great pains to give his patrons well balanced programs, the bookings being attended to by him personally. In Fremont, Neb., the Wall Bros, are erecting a modern house that will seat 700 people. It is being built after the design of the Music Hall, Omaha, and special attention is being paid to the interior arrangements, so as to insure the comfort and safety of patrons. Grand Island, Hastings, Lincoln, Kearney and other Nebraska towns were also visited. Mr. Hough was impressed by the intelligence and enterprise of exhibitors in all these towns and pronounces them "live wires." In Sioux City, Iowa, where six houses cater to picture patrons, Mr. Hough found business flourishing. The Star, owned and managed by Jack Shortley, offers good programs and fine projection. The operating room of this theater is pronounced perfect by Mr. Hough. At the Majestic, where Jack Melchor operates, an excellent picture is thrown. Mr. Hough tells me that every machine working in Sioux City is an Edison. In Sioux Falls and Mitchell, both in South Dakota, business was in poor shape. At Aberdeen, S. D., the Idle Hour was offering a strong show that pleased large audiences nightly. Mr. Smithers," who manages this house, makes instrumental music a prominent feature. The Cozy, in the same city, managed by Mr. Jameson, is another successful house. It is on the Idle Hour circuit, as is also the Idle Hour at Watertown, S. D. The latter, which was showing to good paying business and managed by Mr. Wallace, is a finely appointed house. Fargo and Grand Forks, N. D., were next visited, and business was fairly good. Thence the jump to Winnipeg was made and a stay of over a week was thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Hough states that he was really surprised to find business in such grand shape, in the Chicago of the Canadian Northwest. Every picture theater is up-to-date in structure, both for appearance and comfort, and the exhibitors are fine types of business men. The Colonial, Starland, Elite, Avenue, Majestic, Dreamland, Grand Pastime Province and Princess run straight pictures. Mr. Dunbar local manager of the General Film Company, told Mr. Hough that the Walker Theater, playing traveling combinations, showed the Auto Races, by Essanay, one evening when the house was "dark," to a tremendous business. The management reported that there were more automobiles lined along the thoroughfares in the vicinity that night than were seen when Melba gave a concert. The Colonial, Majestic and Province stand out prominently on the list of the beautiful houses mentioned. Fred Rogers, Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Nash are the respective managers. Manager Rogers takes all pains to make his theater a model in every respect, and the pictures at the Colonial are admirably projected. Mr. Hough states that he could say almost as much for every picture house in the city. The future of the business is in good hands in the far western sections of the Dominion, Mr. Hough says, judging from representatives met by him while in Winnipeg. On the way to Chicago a stopover was made at Minneapolis, where "civic week" was being celebrated in true holiday style. Mr. Van Duzee, of the Twin Calcium Light Company, extended his customary hospitality. The rental business controlled by him is in a satisfactory condition. Chicago Film Brevities. George H. Greaves, owner and manager of the Princess Theater, Denver, called at the office of the World last week. He was returning to Denver from Pittsburg, where he spent several weeks with his home people. Mr. Greaves reports a fine summer business. The Princess is one of the finest theaters in the country, and cost $100,000. Independent pictures have been run thus far. Max Lewis, representing the Co-operative Exchange, Denver, and Wm. H. Swanson, of Wm. H. Swanson & Co.'s Exchange, Denver, were recently fined $200 each, by the Sales Company, for releasing the special film, "Grenadier Roland," before release date. This should warn others not to violate the rules of the Sales Company. Mr. John A. Verhoeven and Miss Mary Teresa Cogan, both of this city, were united in marriage Wednesday, July 19. Their wedding tour will last until October I. Mr. Verhoeven, of the legal firm of Cooney & Verhoeven, is one of the attorneys in this city retained by the Motion Ficture Patents Company. C. C. Langley, manager of the Globe Theater, San Francisco, recently wrote the following letter to George Kleine: "Your advance bulletins, which we always display in our lobby, have not been received of late. Our patrons are greatly disappointed when they do not appear, and are asking for them, as they have made a practice of reading them and of watching for release dates." v One of Selig's western companies is now located on the Santa Cruz Islands, off the coast of California, in charge of the general manager, Francis Boggs. These islands have been chosen for the production of a series of big marine pictures. Mr. Boggs has taken a flotilla of boats along, among them being a large private yacht, the "Skidbladder," two catboats, a power launch, a motor boat and a threemasted schooner, all specially chartered for the purpose. As there are no accommodations on the islands for visitors, the company will camp out and enjoy themselves in the wilds, while making this series of pictures. R. C. McMullen, manager of the Colonial Theater, Rockford, 111., was in the city recently. He states that he showed to paying business throughout the hot weather. The Orpheum, a vaudeville theater with 1,200 capacity, has been closed for the summer, which has tended to increase the business of all the picture houses. Two licensed houses and one licensed airdome and three independent houses are running through the summer. On making a round of the exchanges, both licensed and independent, it was ascertained that business fell off in most cases during the hot spell, and that it is picking up this cooler weather. O. L. Moyer, who recently purchased the Lyric Theater in Elkhart, Ind., called at the office of the G. F. Co. at 117 N. Dearborn last week, to arrange for service. Mr. Moyer will run pictures only at present, but later on intends putting on two or more vaudeville acts. The Lyric is the largest theater in Elkhart and is located on the principal street of the city. It is showing to good business. J. Dunmeyer, of the Dunmeyer Bros., owners of the Crystal Theater, Muncie, Ind., was a visitor last week. He reports satisfactory business. Mrs. Charles A. Kimmit, of Park Ridge, 111., arranged for a service for two nights each week, for her private music hall, with the branch office of the G. F. Co. on Dearborn St. Louis A. Klene, owner of the Arc Theater, La Fayette,