The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

570 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 24, 1920 fractional interests will be torn down on the date mentioned. Even before the old buildings are removed, work will be begun on the foundations, so that much time will be saved. It is estimated that the cost of this new theatre will reach $4,000,000. That figure includes, of course, the cost of the valuable ground, in addition to the money invested in the building itself, which will be exclusively a moving oicture theatre. It is expected that this theatre, when completed, will be one of the famous sightseeing spots of the city. The theatre will be constructed so as to seat 5,000 persons. In addition to the ground floor seats there will be a balcony and a tier of mezzanine boxes. A. S. Hyman is Gradually Extending His Exchanges ARTHUR S. HYMAN, vice president and general manager of A. S. Hyman Attractions, Inc., announces that "The Penny Philanthropist" will be released Thursday, January IS, throughout the territory covered by his state rights. This includes West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, and all pictures purchased by him are shown personally in these states. Mr. Hyman is now buying world rights only to big pictures, and he plans to open exchanges gradually in all the leading cities of the United States. He will open an office in Cleveland and Cincinnati about February 1, and in May he will open one in Minneapolis. During the current week he purchased the exclusive rights, for a certain period, to "Quo Vadis," from George Kleine, and wi'l handle that superfeature in the states already mentioned as a road show. P. C. Braun in New York. Mr. Hyman states that P. C. Braun has been appointed special representative in New York of A. S. Hyman Attractions, Inc., where he will give nrivate showings of "The Penny Philanthropist" to state rights buyers. Mr. Hyman has been in the moving picture business for six years. He received his first lesson from Louis J. Selznick, in 1914, at Atlanta, Ga., when he was installed as manager of the World exchange there. In 1916, he was appointed manager of the New York office of the General Film Company by Percy L. Waters, whom he considers one of the finest men in the film business. He remained there until the close of 1915; when he engaged in the business for himself, starting in Detroit around the closing days of that year. He opened with state rights to "Redemption," "The Whip," "Hearts of the World," "Raffles," etc. The Chicago office was opened in 1919. W. G. McCoy is the manager, in Room 1314, Consumers Building. Officers and Directors of A. A. A. Elected for Year A MEETING of the members of the Allied .'Amusement Association of Chicago was held in the Illinois Theatre, Tuesday, January 6, to confirm the action of the board of directors of the organization in admitting to membership the Chicago Theatrical Managers' Association as a body, and also to confirm the policy and work of the officers of the association for the year 1919. The meeting was largely attended by exhibitors, who approved the action of the directors and the officers. It was then determined by unanimous vote that the officers and directors of the association for the year 1919 shall remain in office for the fesir 1920, and also that the directors, which will be appointed by the Chicago Theatrical Managers' Association, shall be installed for 1920. The appointment of Doctor Sam Atkinson as business manager was also unanimously indorsed. The 1920 Officers. Following are the officers for 1920: President, M. A. Choynski; vice president, Sam Atkinson; secretary. Max Hyman; treasurer, Robert R. Levy, and sergeant at arms, William Rohe. The members of the board of directors for 1920, exclusive of the five members to be chosen by the Chicago Theatrical Managers' Association, are Nathan Ascher, Joseph Trinz, Sam Katz, H. A. Gundling, George B. Hopkinson, H. E. Newell, I. E. Berkson, Andrew Karzas, Louis Marks, Frank M. Teter, Ludwig Schindler, John Bobeng, Arthur Schoenstadt, S. Abrams and Peter J. Schaefer. Chief Points Agreed Upon by Local 110 and A. A. A. FOLLOWING are the principal points agreed upon at the meeting of the officers of the Allied Amusement Association and the officers of Local 110, I. A. T. S. E., held Saturday, January 3 : The basic rate, $1.12J4 per hour; a performance of four hours or less, $4.50; over time per hour, up to midnight, $1.12J4; after midnight, $2.25; seating charge, 50 cents per 100 seats for each full hundred over 300; minimum working week, 32 hours; maximum, 44 hours; full salaries due and payable at end of each week; rehearsals, $1.12^^2 per hour; rehearsals shall be paid for from call time; union members in exchanges and studios, where operators are employed regularly, not to exceed 44 hours per week, $1.12% per hour; when not employed regularly in exchanges and studios, 75 cents per reel ; members of union must report at least 30 minutes before advertised starting time to prepare equipment. Wage Scale Stands One Year. The foregoing wage schedules and working rules became effective January 10, 1920, and shall remain in effect for one year from that date. An additional agreement was made between Local 110, I. A. T. S. E. and the A. A. A., to the effect that any exhibitor not a member of the latter organization shall pay $1.25 per hour; also that all grievances between members of the A. .A.. A. and Local 110 shall be adjusted by joint action of the business manager of each. Big Theatre for State Street. The rumor is goin the rounds that Jones, Linick & Schaefer and Marcus Loew will build a great modern picture theatre and office building on State street, at Monroe, in the near future. This seems likely, as Jones, Linick & Schaefer are interested with Mr. Loew in a chain of southern theatres covering New Orleans, Augusta, Ga., Atlanta, Memphis, Houston, San Antonio, Waco and Oklahoma City, in addition to Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit. No member of the firm could be reached to confirm the rumor, as all three were out of the city at the time of writing. To Handle Hallmark Product. Saturday, January 3, the RobertsonCole Company took over the Hallmark Exchange, in the Consumers Building, this city, and from that date will handle the physical distribution of the Hallmark product. On Saturday, January 10, the Republic Exchange, in the Film Exchange Building 207 S. Wabash avenue, will take over the physical distribution of the twelve Chaplin classics for Clark-Cornelius, Inc., and will distribute these films in Chicago territory, from that date on. "In Old Kentucky" Has Private Showing. A private showing of "In Old Kentucky," on invitation only, was given at the Playhouse, Tuesday, January 6. Quite a number of the members of the Chicago Southern Club were present and others prominent in Chicago's social life. It was the consensus of opinion of those present that Anita Stewart appears to fine advantage in the leading role and that this picture will prove to be one of her greatest. "Great Air Robbery" Excites Wonder. "The Great Air Robbery," the title given Universal's production of Lieut. Omer Locklear's first motion picture in the air, was given a private showing in Universal's projection room, in the Consumers Building, last weeks to members of the Aero Club of Illinois. The marvelous stunts in this feature excited the wonderment of all present. Victory Buttons for Naval Reserves. The navy recruiting station, 608 S. Dearborn street, Chicago, is in receipt of information from the navy department recommending the issuance of victory buttons to members of the Naval Reserve Force, who served on active duty between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918, and who have been released from active duty. These buttons can be procured upon presentation of release to the commanding officer. Paul Buscb Goes to Republic Paul Busch, manager of the Chicago offices of National Picture Theatres, Inc., has been transferred to the management of the Chicago office of Republic. Mr. Busch took hold of his new duties Monday, January 12. The Biltmore to Be Built. M. A. Choynsky's company, which owns a circuit of theatres in Chicago, has planned another house, which will be known as the Biltmore, on West Union street. The Biltmore will seat 2.000 persons and will cost about $150,000. SOMETHING NEW in an advertising stunt is bound to bring business to the box office. "Picture Theatre Advertising," by Sargent, is full of new ideas as well as tried and proved successes. Postpaid for $2. Chalmers Publishing Company, 516 Fifth avenue. New York.