The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

February 14, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1051 die Selznick releases in the Dominion last year. Alberta Uses "Fit to Win." Hon. A. G. McKay, Minister of Public Health for the Province of Alberta, has decided to permit the screening of "Fit to Win," the health propaganda picture, throughout Alberta under the auspices of the Department of Health. The minister has arranged to have I. H. Allen handle the picture in the various Alberta cities and it will be booked through the Allen Theatre Knterprises. The film will be shown to men only. Washington Whispers Millionaire Stuff. VDAT SHREVE, who for a number of ^ years operated the Revere Theatre, * Washington, D. C, has gone to Florida, where he has a large pecan grove. Mr. Shreve recently sold his theatre interests to Tom O'Donnell, of the Navy Theatre. Dealth of Samuel Davis. Maurice Davis, of the M Street Theatre, is receiving condolences from his many friends in this territory following the death of his brother, Samuel Davis, who was associated with him in the operation of the theatre. The deceased had been in ill health for a long time, having been confined to his bed for about fifteen weeks. The body was taken to New York City for burial in the family lot. Maurice Davis is also connected with the Exhibitors Co-operative Film Exchange. Keenan Takes Over Regent. Jack Keenan, who for a number of years was manager of the Avenue Grand Theatre on Pennsylvania avenue, Southeast, and who recently tendered his resignation to the Crandall Amusement Company, has taken over the Regent Theatre on Eighteenth street, from A. H. Brown. Mr. Brown, shortly after the entrance of the United States into the war, received a commission as major in the army, leaving the operation of the theatre to his son. Murphy Buys Bi^ Property. Wiliam C. Murphy, who operates the Home and Carolina theatres in Northeast Washington, recently purchased at auction sale the property at Twelfth and H streets, northeast. The block, known as the Northeast Temple and Market, went under the hammer at $71,450. It will be remodeled bj' Mr. Murphy into a modern picture house. Mr. Murphy's house will add another to the long list of beautiful theatres in the District, already noted for its distinguished array of cinema palaces. Mr. Murphy intends to have his theatre "stand out." Plggly WljJKly Out for More. It is rumored here in the district that a large chain grocery concern is seeking possession of one of the Ninth street theatre properties with a view to converting it into a grocery store. This same concern, operating the Piggly Wiggly stores, is said to have secured the Zenith Theatre, at Eighth and G streets. Southeast, to house one of its stores. Kansas Komments New Film Paper. THE first edition of "The Reel Journal." a local weekly paper devoted to the film trade news of the Kansas City exchanges and exnibitors, was published January 31. Ben Schlyen, editor of the new journalistic venture, formerly was connected with the Standard Film Corporation exchange. "The Reel Journal" Is published at 201 Graphic Arts Building. To Test Tax Law. The test case of the constitutionality of the county amusement tax law, which is i Mr. Exchange Manager: | 1 Your Territory's Here | i Come Again! | I Mr. Picture Showman: | I Here's the News for You | I Come Again! j being watched closely by Kansas City theatre owners, was again delayed January 31, when the fifth continuance in the case against John B. Fitzpatrick, manager of the Shubert Theatre, a legitimate house, was granted by Judge E. E. Porterfield of the circuit court. Fitzpatrick is charged with refusal to pay the amusement tax. February 16 was the new date set for the hearing of the case. Frank Dowe, attorney for Mr. Fitzpatrick, represents a number of moving picture theatres, and he desires to test the validity of the law. This was the reason why Mr. Fitzpatrick submitted to arrest. Shows "ErstwhUe Susan" on His Farm. Otto Feess, owner of the Best Theatre, Parsons, Kans., is showing "Erstwhile Susan" on his farm which adjoins the city limits of Parsons. But don't get excited — this "Erstwhile Susan ' is only a calf, although a thoroughbred. Operating the Best Theatre is only a part of the business carried on by Mr. Feess. In addition he is one of the largest breeders of Guernsey thoroughbred cattle in that section of the state. The names of recent moving picture releases were adopted by him as names for his prize calves. The suggestion came from Joseph Fox, salesman for the Kansas City exchange of Realart. Another calf on the farm is named "Anne of the Greene Gables," and a young bull bears the name of "Lightning Raider." Booking on Rental Basis. Booking state right features on a flat rental basis is proving highly successful in the Kansas City territory, according to L. C. McElroy, manager of the new feature department of the Standard Film Corporation exchange. The "Unpardonable Sin," one of the five features obtained by the Standard, broke records in several large towns in the district and is going over good every place. Buckley Closes Good Contract. Harry D. Buckley, branch manager of the United Artists Corporation at Kansas City, returned a few days ago from St. Louis, where he was successful in placing a contract with the Koplar string of theatres for "When Clouds Roll By," a new release. Wilkerson Resigns Branch Management. W. R. Wilkerson, branch manager of the Universal Exchange for the past six months, resigned recently and returned to New York. His place will be filled by J. H. Calvert, branch manager at Omaha, in a short time. During the interval Nat Liebeskind, office manager, will have charge of the branch. Buffalo Brieflets Variety Theatre Sold. THE Variety Theatre, 740 Fillmore avenue, has been sold to Gusta and Meyer Wallach for a sum said to exceed $75,000. V. Bielanski is the former owner. Majestic Increases Capital. The Majestic Theatre Company of Buffalo has certified to the Secretary of State in Albany that it has increased its capital stock from $15,000 to $150,000. The company operates the Majestic Theatre, Buffalo, of which Dr. Peter C. Cornell is manager, Cohen Joins Realart. Maurice Cohen, formerly a member of the Universal and Gardiner Film Syndicate sales staff, has been engaged by Henry E. Wilkinson as a salesman on the Realart exchange staff. Mr. Wilkinson screened Mary Miles Minter in "Judy of Rogues' Harbor," in Shea's Hippodrome Friday evening, January 30, and it was well received by a large audience of film men. Taylor Boosts Dempsey. C. A. Taylor, manager of the Pathe branch, has started a publicity campaign for the new Dempsey feature, which is being largely booked in this territory. Smith Grip Victim. P. H. Smith, manager of the First National office, has been confined to his bed for over a week with an attack of the grip. He is greatly improved at this writing and expects to return to duty the first part of the week of February 9. Mr. Smith's assistant. Otto Siegel, is also laid up with the grip. Join Gardiner in Albany. K. H. Woolson, formerly with the Phoenix Cheese Company of New York City; J. S. Savage, former manager of the Como and Abbott theatres, Buffalo, and R. H. Pearch, Jamestown, have been assigned to the Albany office of Gardiner Pictures, Inc., by F. M. Zimmerman, sales manager, who has just returned from a rest cure in the South. Serving 125 Fxhlbitors. J. F. Kirsch, manager of the Buffalo office of the Dooley Exchange, Inc., announces that he is now serving 125 exhibitors in the western New York territory. Mr. Kirsch accompanied Thomas W. Dooley to New York recently to purchase a serial and some big feature films. The company has recently purchased twentysix original Billy West comedies made by the Emerald Motion Picture Company, which will be released two a week. 'Frisco Frolics Turbulently Beautiful Turban Displayed by Alice Lake, now working on "Shore Acres," in which she will star tor Metro. Turner & Dahnken to Build Huge Theatre. THE negotiations that have been under way for months by the Turner & Dahnken Circuit for the acquisition of a suitable site for a moving picture house have been terminated by the purchase of property on Fourth street for approximately $600,000. This property is separated from the California Theatre site by only a narrow street and covers a ground area of 47.623 square feet, having two corners and three street frontages. It has a frontage of 155 feet on Fourth street, 310