The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 861 Associated Exhibitors, Inc., Starts with New York Capitol Chief Unit THE Associated Exhibitors, Inc., with franchise holders representing 250 theatres of the country and which will have additional circuit and other alliances was lately organized at a meeting of important exhibitors held in New York City. It represents a formidable combination of theatre owners and is devoted to the development and purchase of pictures and the protection of franchise holders against other combines. At the first meeting of the organization Messmore Kendall, president of the New York Capitol Theatre Realty Company, was elected president; Edward Bowes, New York, first vice president; James Q. Clemmer, Seattle, second vicepresident; Saul Harris, Little Rock, third vice president; H. H. Wellenbrink. Newark, secretary; Harry Crandall, Washington, treasurer, and Fred. C. Quimby, general manager. Directors — Messmore Kendall, Edward Bowes, Harry Crandall, Michael Shea, Dennis Harris, I. Lisbon, Samuei Harding, Joseph Lubliner, James Q. Clemmer, Hugo Lambach and Paul Brunet. Initial Franchise Holders. Among the exhibitors who have associated themselves in the new enterprise are Lubliner & Trinz Theatres, Chicago; Reuben & Finkelstein, Minneapolis; Capitol Theatre, New York; Harris & Ackerman, Los Angeles; H. Cornwell theatres, St. Louis, and Harris & Ackerman, San Francisco. Harris & Libson theatres, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati; Paul Gustanovich, Cleveland ; J. H. Cooper, Oklahoma City; Harry Crandall theatres, Washington; Samuel Harding, Kansas City; Bishop Cass Investment Company. Denver, and Harding & Cohen, Omaha. J. Q. Clemmer, Seattle; Olsen & Sourbier theatres, Indianapolis; Harris & Libson, Detroit; H. H. Wellenbrick, Newark; Michael Shea, Buffalo; Merrill Theatre Amusement Company, Milwaukee; Clemmer & Lambach, Spo kane; Samuel Harris, Little Rock, and Clemmer & Lambach, Portland, Ore. Men of Millions Represented. The financial interests back of the theatre circuits embraced in the organization represent millions. It is claimed that before the step was taken they had the assurance of the co-operation of other theatre owners who will join with them in the purchase and distribution of motion pictures. In New York City the franchise of the new organization goes to the Capitol Theatre. This means that the productions taken over by the organization will have their premiere at that theatre. Careful selection has been made of the best theatres in Chicago, San Francisco, and other large centers and important theatres in those cities have secured the franchise for their territory. This gives them first runs on the pictures. An All-Exhibitor Organization. The Associated Exhibitors, Inc., is completely an exhibitors' organization, according to the first announcement of its policy and plans. In each territory the franchise holder will sell subsidiary franchises for the territory. Each exhibitor will be protected from competition in the showing of the organization's productions for he will have the exclusive rights in his territory. Thus every franchise holder will be assured of productions. A purchasing committee made up of well-known exhibitors will pass on productions before they are bought for distribution. The purpose of the association to bring the producer, star, director and independent seller of features into direct contact with the exchange will thus be accomplished. Supplementary to this its object is to prevent any attempt at monopoly. Promise Equity in Dealings. Dealing directly with the star, direc tor, or producer the exhibitors, it is asserted, will be better able to fix the valuation on a picture and to reward those responsible, according to the drawing power of their production. Their work will, it is declared, be encouraged by proper distribution of the profits to those responsible for the pictures. It is pointed out that a committee purchasing a picture for an association of exhibitors in one contract can acquire the picture for an amount much less than the total if each exhibitor negotiated separately. The producer renting the picture can afford to name a fair price, for he is eliminating sales effort and is insuring himself a market. Pathe Will Distribute. The Associated Exhibitors, Inc., has selected the Pathe Exchange to handle their product throughout the world. Pathe is said to have more branch offices than any other distributing concern, is operated on sound business principles, has a long history of successful operation. Another factor in the selection of Pathe is the broad business policy and the square dealing which has characterized its relations with exhibitors. Ferrandini and Craver Visit Atlanta. The First National Exchange at Atlanta received a visit recently from Frank Ferrandini and R. D. Craver, owners of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit franchise for Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. C. R. Beacham, manager of the Atlanta Exchange, gave a get-together oriental supper for the visitors, all First National employes, and several visiting exhibitors. "True southern hospitality awaits any member of the First National organization from Maine to the Pacific," says Mr. Beacham. Visualizing "Edgar," "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" and "Two Cents' Worth of Humaneness." Johnny Jone.s Jack Pickford and Madge Kennedy are the stars in these three Goldwyn features as pictured ' from left to right.