Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

8i6 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD MONTREAL. Conditions in t ho moving picture business here nre, bo fur, as good as can lie desired. The number of theaters exhibiting films is on the Increase, which is a very excellent indication as to the soundness Ol this .soil of enterprise. By giving the public reliable, sensible and Instructive films — no matter \% lio the producer Is— will reap the harvest. Our friend. Lyman II. Howe, and his travel pictures occupied tlic Srubert .Theater for several weeks, and again renewed the popularity of li Is films. So much so. indeed, thai lie has promised :■> return to Montreal again before the year is through. Then we had the Coronation film furore. which filled the coffers of the exhibitors very much after the style of ancient Pandora. Incidentally we had Mr. Mcl.eash. the manager of the Princess Theater, giving the sole reproduction of the Kinemacolor films of the Coronation, and other pictures, which were a revelation to all. As for the general run of things in the other houses nothing need lie added except I ha I many of them cut out vaudeville, and hope to leave it in the "lurch" even in the fall and winter seasons. The "Inferno," as produced by the Italian manufacturers, is slated to appear in the Mggest theater in this city next week. There Is no saying to What extent this scries of pictures will reestablish the worthiness of moving pictures in the minds of the prejudiced. Advance press notices report on it favorably, and (he Monopol people, who are presenting the films, are assured of a paying investment. The legal phase of the moving picture business is dis niieting. They are after them again. Summons s have been issued against .seventeen proprietor-; to force them to pay up the municipal lax of $500. A delay has been asked in :iiis matter. • ui ii appears that a legal battle will ensue befrre payment is made. The all : lo.'il'es slate that the large establishments have paid their taxes titid that the smaller ones will have to do -ikewise or go out of business. A new regulation is 1 in ing posters approved by the chief or police before being placed in the lobv.-. is now in Joree. This law is giving the proprietors no end of trouble, especially those who have their places at a great distance from police headquarters. One poster case was snatched from the jaws of law recently by Mr. A. Garneau, K. ('.: bu1 subsequent charges will have to be faced unless the allied proprietors make a stubborn tight to have a better system put in practice. Mr. Ratisbonne, of the Gaumont Company, Limited, has left for Winnipeg. Mr. and Mrs. Lefebre are in charge of the Gaumont office during Mr. Batlsbonne's absence. The National Theater has been renovated and enlarged. The Mark Brock Enterprises, operating the Theater Francnis, have opened I heir vaudeville and moving picture season. They have seating capacity for about 2.000 in their establishment. Popular prices prevail, and their receipts would make any manager happy. A new photoplay house is noticing completion. It will be operated by the Wonderland Amusement Company. The "Nationoscope" is at present undergoing alterations, which will when complete, afford seating space for 1,650 people twice its former capacity. One of the most popular west end houses — the Gaiety — Is seriously contemplating buying out adjoining premises at a big expenditure, in order to enlarge their place. This is one of the few bouses in this city that charges 10 cents for admission for an exclusive' picture show. Mr. Kenaud, tlie manager, is a strong exponent of the legitimate photoplay business. The Moulin Rouge, Mr. Robert Bell, manager, lias decided to eliminate vaudeville from Its programme. The Prince of Wales. the Nickel and the Starland report capacity business. Filrus, anti-British in spirit, are finding their way here. Moving picture manufacturers and Canadian renters please take notice that such are not wanted. Montreal exhibitors, in particular, must subscribe to the World, in order lo get good information for their business. DAVID LIVINSON. CANTON, OHIO. Canton is an open town and all amusements are open on Sundays. The photoplay enterprises of the town compare favorably with those of neighboring towns. The Odeon. Bender & Abrams, owners, at East Tusearawa Street, is playing to good business. The seating capacity is 500, and the floor is sloped toward the curtain, so that any one of I he audience may sec the pictures with ease. The operating room itself is a model of excellence, and Is considered one of the hesl in I he Stale. It is equipped with two latesl type Edison machines. The projection is exceptionally good and the screen has a special silver coating, v. in i undoubtedly aids in the clearness of lb,, picture. The Odeon runs three act;. ,,r vaudeville and two pictures 1» the fall and winter, to an admission of five cents to children, and len .cms :,, adults. The lobby of Ibis line photoplay house is worthy of comment, for It can favorably compare with the lobbies of the high-priced "legit" theaters. It is roomy, and the walls are arrayed with mirrors, so dear to the heart of (he lady patrons, while along the sides are placed setees and cushioned seats, where the patrons may rest while waiting for their lri -no-. A nicely furnished ladies' room, and also a smoking room, add many patrons lo this popular theater. Taking this theater as a whole, it Is one of the nicest houses in the State and judging from the attendance It may also be termed one of the most profitable. Licensed pictures from Cleveland are used. Mr. A. II. Abrams is the manager. The Dreamland, at 888 E. Tusearawa Street, Is under the ownership and management of Bender Bros., and is the oldest photoplay house in Canton. The seating capacity is 200, and the curtain is raised about six feet from the floor, so that all may see with ease. It is well ventilated and equipped with the necessary exits. The operating room is equipped witli an Edison machine and the projection Is fairly good. Tie Dreamland is at present running four reels of old Licensed films from Cleveland, but it is contemplated to shorten thi' program to three as soon as matters can be arranged with tie opposition. The musical feature consists of ai electrical piano. The lobby of the Dreamland can he made more attractive if real signs, instead of amateurish efforts were displayed. The Orpheum, also on E. Tusearawa Street, has a sealing capacity of (Sol) eight hundred. Gus Sun Co. are the lessees and are booking high class vaudeville to an admission of ten. twenty and thirty cents. Old Independent films are used as a part of the program. The Auditorium is considered the largest onefloor seating capacity house in Ohio, for It has a seating capacity of l.'iOO persons. Legitimate drama is used in season. The Opera House, on Market Street, is also a legitimate house and has a seating capacity of 1400. The Majestic Theater, opposite the Dreamland, is tinder the management and ownership of Mr. M. E. Hanley. II • is not a novice in the business, having played on the vaudeville stage since he was twenty. The Majestic has a seating capacity of 4ii). Mr. Hanley believes in giving his patrons their money's worth, so his program, in the winter, consists of two vaudeville turns and 4 reels of pictures, and a four-piece orchestra — for the single admission price of five cents. At present four reels of good Independent films from the Pittsburg Photoplay Co., with an electrical piano accompaniment is being used for the same price. Two one-pin Edison machines are used in the operating room, so that a continuous performance is made possible. The lobby of the Majestic is effectively used for the display of posters. Mr. A. H. Abrams, general manager of the Odeon Theater, attended the Motion Picture Exhibitors Convention at Cleveland. Ohio. Mr. Ed. F. Render has purchased the Trinity Reformed Church and contemplates erecting a high-class moving picture house on its site. EDDIE WHEELER. ST. LOUIS. Selig's latest release, entitled "Saved from the Snow," is appearing at the St. Charles Theater tills week, as is the "Vltagraph Monthly." showing th» head-on collision of two huge locomotives, which is drawing extraordinary crowds daily. Mr. Harry L. Smith has been signed as singer. The Garrick Theater, which several weeks ago was showing the Coronation films, announced that "Dante's Inferno" is to start a week's engagement, commencing Saturday matinee. Aug. 20. This film is an acknowledged feature of the Monopol Company and is sure to prove a hit. and this will be the first presentation in St. Louis. Two shows were put on daily, at 2:15 and 8:15 P. M.: the admission. 25c. and 50c. The Lyric Theater has installed a Bell telephone for the convenience of its many business patrons. who greatly enjoy it for business transactions. The Suburban Garden Theater, which has been showing the nation's theatrical stars, will for the rest of the season show moving pictures and vaudeville. Lack of patronage is said to tie the cause of the change. A general crusade has been begun by the State Factory Inspectors on all show houses employing performers under the required age. The first one to tie affected by this law was Mr. Samuel L. Solomon, president of the Independent Amusement Company, and also manager of the Lafayette Theajer. Mr. Solomon had engaged Irene Reilly. 0 years old. and her sister Violet, who Is 6 years old. These youngsters do a song and dance and were drawing a hearty applause August 27, when Deputy State Factory Inspector Haskell, after them perform, notified Manager Solomon that he would not be allowed to let them perform any more because tl ey were under age. On tie following day he issued a warrant for Man ager Solomon on face charges of violating the age law. Irene and Violet are their mother's only support. It is reported that these children have been performing for the past 0 months without detection. The age limit is 10 years and will be strictly enforced, according to the authorities. Manager Cornelius, of 'he Lyric Theater, announces thai he hoi booked one of Selig's features for the coming week, entitled "Lost In the Jungle. " Several other interesting films have a No been booked. A new tl I iii company has been organized iu St. Louis. A factory and studio have already been remodeled and equipped with all the modern devices and conveniences for the manufacture of moving picture films. This factory and sin, lio will be tin' most completed and up-to-date estab lishnient ever erected in this locality. G. P. Hamilton', a moving picture man of experience and large following, will he the chief producer of this new organization. Mr. Hamilton also announces that he lias begun to hand together a stock companv of players who have an extensive following in local photoplay houses. He has succeeded in lauding several local Stars. Rehearsals are iu progress daily anil as soon as all the performers have bieu signed, preparations will be made tor the taking of the first film. Most of tbl plols will be laid in the surrounding conn fry, as plenty of beautiful scenery is available. It is said that Si. Louis capital is largely interested iu thi company, which is cal'ed the St. Louis Motion Picture Company. Wm. Burton, who proved a success at the Anbert Airdome with his "Illustrated Storiettes," has been signed to appear at the Gran-Park Airdome August 25-26. Mr. Burton's pictures are very Interesting. One of the features is the reproduction of the first picture ever taken and developed. D. M. llazlett. of local repute as a lecturer. has been booked to appear at the Juniata this week as a special feature. He lias some very interesting views Hat were taken by himself while on an extensive tour several years ago. and will commence his series with a lecture on rbi ama Canal, which will be completed in Til" Mr. Hazlett obtained some very good views of the construction of the canal and will change his subjects nightly. Select motion pictures will be shown in conjunction witli the views. Negotiations have been closed whereby the building at 107 North Broadway will be remodeled into a motion picture house. It will probably bo opened in about a month. The policy of the house has not yet been made known. Ths Astor Theater, at Broadway and Market Street, is making a feature of Western plays. They are becoming a large drawing card. The new photo pi ay ho" "e h ing e-cted nt Sarah and Olive Streets by the Pipe Realty Company will be opened soon, if the present speedy work continues. INDIANAPOLIS. IND. It is announced that the H. Lieber Conmany. of this city, has disposed of its moving picture film business to the General Film Company, of New York City, expecting to devote its attention exclusively to the manufacture and sale of picture frames and art goods. The film business of the local company has been one of the largest, west of New York City. A local office will be established by the General Film Company and Robert Lieber will be in charge temporarily. Indiana and surrounding States are furnished with films from this city, which is one of ft-e ">ost important distributing centers in the Middle West. An important ruling has been handed down In the city police court by Ac'ing Judge Averill in the case brought to test the child labor act passed by the Indiana legislature this year. I'nder this law the iwliee refused to allow children to compel p for prizes in amatpnr vaudeville performances in moving picture theaters. J. M. Rhodes, treasurer of the Moving Picture Managers' Association, allowed a seven-year-old boy to compete for a prize in his moving picture thea'er. then submitted to arrest. The court ruled that such a performance by a child could not pi s slbly be construed as a violation of the child labor act. The Gayety Theater, operated by fhe Dixie Amusement Company, and showing pictures ami light vaudeville, has opened for the season. Mayor Shank has announced that he will ask the city council to enact an ordinance fixing the annual license fee of moving picture theaters at a rate higher than the present fee of $25 annually. He says the proposed fee will be not less than $100 nor more than $250 a vear. ' CUMMINS. SPOKANE. WASH. Six hundred feet of moving pictures of scenes In Spokane will he taken the latter part of this week, if the weather conditions are favorahle. hy George Grombacher. manager of the Spokane Film Exchange. Within a few weeks these pictures will be displayed simultaneously in the fi.Oon houses in the United States and Canada, controlled hy the Seigel Company, of Chicago, to estimated audiences of lO.OflO.OOO. Commissioner Z. E. Hayden lias given permission to snap the Spokane fire depart ment in action. Downtown street scenes, showing the Paulsen Building, as the product of the Horou" les mine: the Hntton Building, for this reason. and as the home of the Chamber of Commerce the Revier Building, the Sacred Heart Hospital 'and other structures, will be taken.