The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

1052 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 14, 1920 feet on Stevenson and 305 feet on Jessie. Plans are being prepared for the largest and finest moving picture house in the world, having a seating capacity of more than 6,000. Sam Gordon Opens New Theatre. Sam Gordon, one of San Francisco's pioneer exhibitors, opened his latest theatre, the Orpheus, in the suburban city of San Rafael on the evening of January 21. The opening was a successful event and attracted many from San Francisco, despite the threatening weather. The new house has a seating capacity of about 1,200, making it the largest in Marin County. Now that this theatre is in running shape Mr. Gordon will direct his attention toward the remodeling of the Lyric on Fillmore street, San Francisco, on which he recently secured a long-time lease. M. li. MarkOTfitz Deserts Distributing Field M. L. Markowitz has resigned as manager of the Universal Exchange at San Francisco and in the future will devote his entire attention to his extensive theatre interests in Northern California. This step came as a distinct surprise, as Mr. Markowitz is the dean of film exchange managers, having been in charge of the Universal interests here since 1907. He started an exchange in that year under the name of the California Film Exchange, and when this was taken over seven years later by Universal, whose output he had been haindling, he continued as manager. Executive offices have been fitted up in the Strand Theatre Building, and he will manage his theatre interests from there. WITH almost 130 exchange managers and their assistants present, the recently organized Motion Picture Bureau of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, at a recent luncheon, launched its opening gun for a cleaner, better and a more businesslike industry when Harry M. White, chairman, outlined to the members the policies and functions of the new board. Unusual interest is attached to the activities of this organization. It is not only the largest gathering seen in Philadelphia for some time in film circles, but marks the first successful attempt of exchangemen at organization. Claiming but two years actual experience in the motion picture business, Mr. White in an address said, in part: "Personally, I have been in this business but a comparatively short time, but even in that short time I have noticed the wonderful improvement in the personnel of both exhibitors and exchangemen, and I want to go on record right now to the eflfect that I personally believe that ninety-eight per cent, of the men in the film industry are absolutely conscientious and honest, but we still find ourselves compelled to deal with men who, to put it mildly, have a shrewd eye to the main chance; men who evince a tendency to evade implicit obligation; men who seem to have no sense of the fundamental principles of right and wrong, and who not infrequently stoop to practices generally considered discreditable. "We exchangemen through all these years have been suspicious of each other. Our individual efforts to right matters have been negligible, almost futile. Good results have been accidental rather than intentional. Pro He has been succeeded in the management of the Universal Exchange by C. A. Nathan, who has been his assistant for several months, and Beverly Griffith, head of the sales department, has been made assistant manager. Selznick Representative Visits Coast. V. P. Whitaker, general representative for Louis J. Selznick, spent several days recently visiting the San Francisco exchange conducted under the management of Harry L. Knappen, leaving later for Los Angeles. Pantnges Has Jiew Manager. Roy Stephenson has been made resident manager of Pantages Theatre, succeeding John J. Cluxton. He has been connected with the local house for about nine years. Many Theatres Cliange Hands. The activity in the amusement business is reflected in the many changes in ownership of houses in the San Francisco territory-. Among the sales made of late through the office of the United Theatres Exchange are the following: The Majestic Theatre, of Concord, from Carenna Bros, to Charles Holz, of Merced; Peralta Theatre, Oakland, from H. C. Clapp to W. C. Wilson; Allies Theatre, San Francisco, from C. Johnson to Crescent Theatre Company; Regent Theatre, San Francisco, from E. C. Cunningham to H. Shaw; Rex Theatre, San Francisco, from R. B. Davis to C. Carleton; Princess Theatre, Sausalito, from Mrs. George C. Gates to A. Mann; the New Devisadero Theatre, San Francisco, from T. L. Demund to T. Tobias and R. Loy; Claremont Theatre, Oakland, from tests upon our part have sometimes met with an elaborate assumption of indifTerence; sometimes feigned indignation and most amazing impudence. "We propose no revolutionary innovations but intend to proceed in a spirit of friendliness and conciliation. Our purpose is to educate rather than punish. Many difTerences between the exchange and the exhibitor are, in fact, more apparent than real. They are due in a great measure to the wide diversity Irving V. Willat Whose productions will be released ty Hodklnson. Robert McNeil and associates to Sol li. Lesser; Cory Theatre, San Francisco, from W. Berlin to Joe Coreno; Lincoln Theatre, Pleasanton, from R. M. Peet to Charles Chicazola; Bay Station Theatre, Alameda, from A. R. Oberly to George J. Kime, and the S. & H. Theatre, Oakland, from Starky & Head to R. M. Bitzer. V. P. T. In Nerr Home. The United Picture Theatres of America has moved its San Francisco branch to 86 Golden Gate avenue, where William J. Citron remains in charge. The quarters occupied are those formerly used by Triangle. James Beatty Takes Another Hoasc. James Beatty, who conducts the Liberty theatres at San Jose and Fresno, Cal., has taken over the Strand Theatre in the latter city. Brief Trade Notes. John Frazler, traveling representative for Universal, has returned to the San Francisco branch from a tour of Nevada, where he booked the best business ever secured by him. Exhibitors in that state are enjoying a wonderful season. J. J. Haley is preparing to open a theatre at San Andreas, Cal. The Kinema Investment Company is preparing to erect a moving picture house at Fresno, Cal., to cost $350,000. E. C. Benedict will open the Auditorium, Modesto, Cal., with moving pictures in February. The Colonial Theatre on Halght street, San Francisco, has been purchased by tt. Zelinsky. of mind and temperament and to the bewildering multiplication of detail." The matter of adjusting any diflferences that may arise between an exchange and an exhibitor, was next taken up by Mr. White, who explained that only as a last resort would the matter be placed in the hands of the adjustment committee of three exchangemen and two exhibitors for settlement. "Their decision would be final," added Mr. White. Present also at the luncheon were Gene Crandall, district manager for the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, and William H. Hall, of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hall in brief address welcomed the members of the new organization. Ruth Clifford Entertains Maeterlinck at Luncheon MAURICE MAETERLINCK, the noted Belgian author, and Madame Maeterlinck were guests at a luncheon given recently by Ruth Clifford at the Hotel Commodore. Both M. Maeterlinck and his wife are ardent picture fans, and familiar with the work of American screen stars, and in a recent interview, published in one of the New York papers, M. Maeterlinck laid particular emphasis on the artistic work of Miss Clifford. Later they met at a reception, and the noted Belgian expressed a desire to learn more of the intricacies of photoplay acting, and at the luncheon Miss Clifford enlightened the Maeterlincks on some of the difficulties of screen portrayals. Miss Clifford is co-starring with Jack Sherrill in "The Invisible Ray" serial being made by the Frohman Amusement Corporation, of which W. L. Sherrill is president. The scenario for this production was written by a well-known magazine writer, Guy W. McConnell. Discuss Differences Between Exchanges and Showmen at Philadelphia Meet