Moving Picture World (Mar 1917)

1972 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 24, 1917 Saenger Company Opens Lafayette Theater Triangle Pictures Shown in Temporarily Occupied Theater While the Strand Is Being Completed — Harron Appears With "The Bad Boy." By N. E. Thatcher, 3801 Canal St., New Orleans. La. NEW ORLEANS, LA. — On February 18 the Saenger Amusement company took over the Triangle Film service for New Orleans, intending to make this service the feature for the new Strand theater, under course of completion. The Triangle pictures have been run for some time in the Triangle tneater, of which Ernst Boehringer is the manager and in his theater they were given marked prominence and made exceptionally popular. With the readjustment of motion picture affairs in this city the Triangle service passed to the Saenger interests and Manager Boehringer took over the Paramount service. Delays incident to building prevented the opening of the Strand theater as soon as had been contemplated, and for the time being the Saenger Amusement company rented the Lafayette theater and commenced the regular presentation of their program. Bobby Herron Appears at the Lafayette. The first showing was made on February 18 with "The Bad Boy" as the feature production. Robert Herron is the star in this picture and by a fortunate circumstance this young man with" his director and a company of players was in the city taking scenes for a forthcoming release. In the party were "Bobbie" Harron, Lloyd Ingraham, director; Herbert Hadly, David Dominguez, Frank Urson and Adele Clifton. Upon the completion of their work here it was the intention to go to New York at once, but they were prevailed upon to remain over for the Lafayette opening and Harron made a personal appearance at each presentation of "The Bad Boy." He acted the part — not that he showed anything bad, but because he unconsciously played the part of a boy who is thrown into prominence and he refused to consider it as a compliment. Nevertheless, he made nice little speeches in a sort of a awkward way that captivated the audience and he became immensely popular. The entire party was introduced to the odd and famous resturants of the city at numerous luncheons and dinners and they appeared to enjoy the novelty. Their presence added to the opening of the J_.afayette, and ihe musical accompaniment to the pictures by a fifteen-piece orchestra under the direction of Don Phillippini of New York made the event a notable one and one that put the temporary picture house on the local map. Contractor Landrum Becomes Exhibitor. JACKSON, MISS. — When J. C. Landrum, then a contractor of Jackson, Miss., four or five years ago read the history of the Istriones, the ancient people who migrated from the land of the Itris, at the head of the Adriatic Sea, to Rome, and were compelled to act in pantomime because there were none who understood their language, he concluded that this was the first authentic record of the "silent drama." Mr. Landrum is methodical. He wrote the name and filed it away. In the course of time he was employed to plan a proposed motion picture theater. He drew the plans for a dandy theater and presented them to the projectors with much enthusiasm. They hesitated, feared the expenditure, and feared that motion pictures would go into decline. "Oh, well, if you fellows have no nerve," observed the contractor, "I am almost tempted to build a photoplay theater myself." The next morning Landrum took the first step toward becoming a real manager. He already had the word Istrione, and here was a chance to make use of it. He eased around among the real estate men and got a long lease on a tract across the street from the theater for which he had drawn the plans, for he was convinced that the projectors had no intention of going forward with the work. Here he erected a fine $15,000 show house and he proved that he had made an excellent investment. The Istrione at Jackson, Miss., is perhaps the only theater of that name in the country. Leastwise it is the only theater that can boast of its inception and its completion upon the mere suggestion of a word. Manager Landrum watches every detail of the business. It is no wonder that he has scored a remarkable success. He has won the confidence of the people because he has deserved it, and he has proven tc~ them that it has never been misplaced. No new appliance that will contribute to the pleasure of the patrons is omitted from the house. One of the latest innovations is the installation of a regular orchestra in the Istrione. Manager Landrum is in touch with the latest releases and frequently makes nips to New Orleans that he may be present at the trade showings. He knows pictures as well, if not better, than the most of the exchange managers, and woe betide the manager or salesman who attempts to sell a bad picture for showing in the Istrione. Among Gulf State Exhibitors. Yazoo City, Miss. — Mrs. J. B. Devoto, one of the successful women managersof motion picture theaters in the South, has reopened the Star theater at YazooCity, Miss., and will run only feature pictures. She has booked the World, Metro, K-E-S-E and other services. The first showing was made on February 5. Abbyville, La. — Nelson & Clark of Abbyville. La., have just completed and' opened an airdome which will seat 600persons. Everything about the new houseis of the best, and the proprietors look forward to a most prosperous season. Pearce Will Boost Independent Program Will Organize Exchange on New Lines and Takes Larger Offices Over Tudor Theater — To Distribute Attractive Film Service. NEW ORLEANS, LA. — A business move which has more behind It than the mere transfer of office furniture and forces is being made by the Pearce amusement syndicate to new quarters over the Tudor theater. For years the affairs of the Pearce interests have been conducted in offices over the Trianon theater in Canal street. The business of the local Pearce houses has been testing the capacity of all the theaters owned by them and the demands of the film industry in this section have convinced these old-time exhibitors that conservative branching out is desirable, therefore the change of office location is made in order that more commodious quarters may be at hand for the development of interests along new lines New Orleans Exchange Men Join Association Preliminary Meeting Elects T. O. Tuttle of Local General Film as President, Harry Owens Vice-President and Karl Bugbee Secretary-Treasurer. as well as to care in a more satisfactory manner for the affairs that require immediate attention. The new offices over the Tudor theater are to be models of completeness and convenience. Every appliance for the conduct of a modern motion picture establishment is being installed. There is to be a modern projecting room and a storage vault for films. In conjunction with other capitalists, the Pearce interests have noted the growing demand among exhibitors for independent programs and it is no longer a secret that a new and powerful independent film exchange is to be opened for the purpose of furnishing exhibitors in this territory with a dependable and attractive film service. The new Pearce offices are to occupy the entire third floor of the Tudor theater building and it is the expectation to havethem fully occupied and in smooth running order early in March. NEW ORLEANS, LA. — After repeated and indifferent attempts to effect an organization that would be worthy of the name, the film exchange managers of New Orleans have become affiliated with the Film Industry Local Managers and already feel the good effects of membership in an association that appears to have about it the quality of stability. J. C. Hoy, of the Hoy reporting agency, has been in the city for some time and on February 26 the first step toward a permanent organization was taken. At a preliminary meeting T. O. Tuttle, of the General Film, was elected president of the local association; Harry Owens, of the Triangle exchange, vice-president, and Karl A. Bugbee, of the Southern Metro, was named as secretary and treasurer. The organization starts off with enthusiasm and already one or two matters have been satisfactorily adjusted to the astonishment of all persons concerned. One exhibitor was charged with wrongful use of the C. O. D. privilege and another was informed that his paper was not entirely satisfactory on account of a derogatory remark passed out by a heartless bank official. Furthermore one or two matters in which it appeared that the exhibitor was in the right were settled in favor of the exhibitor and in that manner a feeling of confidence among the exhibitors was engendered and it looks as if they are going to be as strong for the organization as the exchange men. Already there is a movement on foot to form a strong exhibitors' organization in this territory to work In conjunction and in harmony with the F. I. L. M. No more beneficial move could be made for the good of the industry in this section. Plaquemine's New Theater Begun. Plaquemine, La. — The foundations for the new $40,000 motion picture theatei have been laid and work is being pushed upon the building as rapidly as is consistent with good building. One of the largest lumber companies in the state is behind the enterprise ana the building is situated in the center of the business district. The lot upon which it stands was rather narrow for the proper construction of sidewalks and the Texas & Pacific railroad showed its interest in the project to the extent of donating <-nough of its right of way to allow a suitable sidewalk to be built. Jack Auslet'sChain of Theaters. New Orleans, La. — Jack Auslet, of thiscity, has formed a circuit of motion picture theaters in Mississippi and is now operating the Strand at Laurel; the Princess at Boonville; the Lyric at Louisville