The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

1050 for some time because of the big hole in the orchestra floor. Theatre to Be Synagosme. Jewish residents of North Adams, Masshave purchased the Bijou Theatre for use as a new synagogue. A fund of about $40,000 has been raised. Well Kno-wn Object Lesson. An employe of the Lancaster Theatre, Boston, has been taught a lesson that he will not soon forget. This employe, who has charge of the cash of the motion picture theatre, went away leaving the door of the theatre safe open Upon returning he discovered $200 gone from the open safe. Thinking that robbers had been at work, the employe telephoned the police. When a police sergeant arrived the manager of the Lancaster Theatre explained to the sergeant and employe together that he took the money from the safe as an object lesson to the employe, pointing out to the latter that It would have been very easy for robbers to have gotten the money. THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 14, 1920 Baltimore Banter Hartford to Enlarge. r» LANS for the entire reconstruction of r the Hartford Theatre, 2618 Hartford avenue, are now under way by Architect E. G. Blanke, 213 North Calvert street. The residence property which adjoins this theatre has been purchased by the Hartford Amusement Company, of which J. J. Valentini is president and Vicent Valentini manager. It is planned to rebuild this plavhouse to take in the property just purchased and enlarge the seating capacity from 400 to 1,100. Benefit Shows Given. An entertainment for the benefit of the Ladies' Independent Charity League of Baltimore was given at the Picture Garden Theatre, on Sunday night, February 1, through the courtesy of Joseph Blechman, the proprietor. Almost $1,500 was raised toward the fund for the rebuilding of the Workshop for the Blind, destroyed by fire, at a benefit performance given at the Garden Theatre, on Sunday night. January 25. The affair was held under the auspices of the Harvard Club of Baltimore. The program of moving pictures was arranged by Louis A. DeHoff, director of this playhouse, who also loaned the theatre for the occasion. Censors Condemn a Mutt and Jeff. "Shaking the Shimmie," a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, produced by Fox Film, was billed for showing at Loew's Hippodrome in Baltimore recently, and when this film was examined by the Maryland Censor Board it was condemned entirely. The Hippodrome, which is under the management of George A. McDermott, had to go without a Mutt and Jeff cartoon. The Censor Board then reconsidered their decision and will permit the cartoon to be shown with certain eliminations. RecruilinB Rally at Grand. A program of navy moving pictures was the feature of the entertainment which was part of the navy recruiting rally which was held at the Grand Theatre, Highlandtown, Md., by Commander P. V. H. Weems, on Sunday night, January 25. This theatre was loaned for the occasion by C. B. Councilman, manager of the playhouse. "The Surrender of the German Fleet," and "The President's Convoy" were among the moving pictures shown. The Baltimore Dry Docks and Shipbuilding Company's band furnished music for the occasion. Addresses were made by Commander Weems and J. J. McCarthy, the oldest man who served with the overseas fleet. Baltimore Personals. George C. Easter, president of the Baltimore State Rights Film Company, and secretary and treasurer of Jans Pictures, Inc., visited New York City on Wednesday, January 28, to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Jans company. Arthur D. Gang, a former film man of Knee Deep — and Deep in Favor Little Mary in her first United Artists' "Pollyanna." this city, has obtained an option on the Park Movies Theatre, Fulton avenue and Francis street. The Reliance Film Exchange was recently formed in Washington, D. C, by Leo G. Garner, formerly with Sidney B. Lust and Meyer M. Emmanuel, and they are handling the Alice Brady and Robert Warwick reissues. Mr. Garner visited Baltimore last week. Clarence Eiseman, well known in Baltimore as a film man, has become associated with Paramount-Artcraft and will handle this territory for that company. Atlanta Advices Theatres and Police Agree. MANAGERS of the motion picture theatres at Macon. Ga., having promised the Police Department that they will not show pictures in the future which might prove objectionable or detrimental to the morals of the city's theatregoing public, it is stated that the City Council will take no further action in the matter. Alderman B. J. Dasher had registered a complaint some time ago. stating that some of the pictures shown "did the young theatregoers no good." The police committee investigated and an agreement was reached. The main complaint made by the alderman was in regard to poster advertisements. It was the first complaint made against the movie houses in Macon for a number of years. Hadlson, Ga., Blossonu Oat. Carl Zirbes, of Washington, Ga., will erect a motion picture theatre, 23 by 85 feet, including balcony, in Madison, Ga. Architects have finished the plans. New Theatres in South. Following are several new theatrical construction projects to be carried out this spring and summer in various Southwestern states that have been announced in the past few days. Richmond, Va., will have a new $300,000 motion picture theatre. Plans are now being drawn to build the theatre on a plot 100 by 160 feet in size. A $75,000 picture house will be erected this summer at Beckley. W. Va., by Frank Middleberg, of Logan, W. Va. The Liberty Theatre, a $50,000 vaudeville and motion picture house, will be erected at Jacksonville, Pla., by L. D. Joel. The Bijou and Victory theatres are to be greatly improved at Greensboro, N. C„ by Roland Hill and J. C. Hedgpeth, who also plan to make over the BeviU Building into a model theatre. They will spend about $75,000 on this latter project. Fine Movie Department. "A Critic Among the Films" is the title of a new department that is being conducted in a number of Southern dally newspapers by Ralph T. Jones, of Atlanta, one of the leading dramatic critics of the South. The department is developing a broad following, for people are beginning to find out that Mr. Jones' criticisms are unbiased and that he describes the pictures exactly as they attect him. The department is constructive, educational and interesting at the same time, and the result is that thousands of newspaper readers watch for it and follow the advice of the critic when the pictures are shown in their city. The department la fully protected by copyright by Mr. Jones. Canadian Chips Hull Mayor Uses Movies. THE first oflflcial act of Mayor Cousineau of Hull. Quebec, was to engage a representative of Pathe interests to take numerous views of the city of Hull with a view to securing additional industries for the enterprising centers. He stepped into office on January 21, and on the same day the cameraman was engaged in the taking of the pictures, which are to be distributed throughout Canada and sent to the United States for special presentations. To Produce In Canada. Louis Cote, of Ottawa, Ontario, one of the directors of the Anglo-Canadian Picture Plays, Limited, has intimated that It is the intention of the company to undertake the production In Canada of moving picture dramas in which the stars are players who are now being featured In British film productions In studios across the pond. "The idea of organizing the Anglo-Canadian company was suggested by Canadians who in England had seen the English features and who were impressed with the belief that there would be a market for such pictures In Canada," said Mr. Cote. The Anglo-Canadian Picture Plays, Limited, will release features, British scenics, cartoons and comedies through the Specialty Film Import, Limited, Montreal. It is announced at Ottawa that all available stock in the British enterprise, which la capitalized at $750,000, has been sold. Scenics will be given close attention, aa Canada is rich in natural beauties. Transplanting: Canada to London. The Exhibits and Publicity Bureau of the Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, Ontario, has arranged to take pictures of a number of representative Canadian industrial plants for presentation at the Canadian Industries' Exhibition to be held in the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, England, in June. In addition to the industrial views, the bureau will prepare a number of official pictures showing waterfalls, forests and mines for screening at the London exhibition. One of those interested in the proposition ia Lloyd Harris, of Toronto, the Canadian Overseas Trade Commissioner. O. C. Pease is the Canadian representative of the London exposition. Arltell Succeeds McKenna. W. R. Arkell has been appointed to succeed Lindsay McKenna, formerly of New York, as exploitation manager for the Select Pictures Corporation, Toronto. Mr. McKenna was in charge of this department of the Canadian company since the organization of the company to han