The Moving picture world (December 1920)

888 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 18, 1920 Rothapfel Articles in World Bring Letter from New Zealander Telling of Hits Made by American Pictures STOP! IT'S FORBIDDEN! Margarita Fisher seen here in a scene from American's "Their Mutual Child" Plan $500,000 Theatre for Cincinnati Suburb A new moving picture theatre that will be something distinctive and original in the way of a suburban theatre, having a seating capacity of 3,000 persons and which when finished will represent an investment of $500,000, is promised patrons of Walnut Hills, one of the busiest suburbs of Cincinnati. Announcement of the intention to erect the theatre within a short distance of Peebles corner, one of the busiest corners in the suburb, was made recently by Attorney Ben L. Heidingsfeld, who represents a group of citizens interested in the project. An option on the site of the theatre, which has a frontage of 145 feet on McMillan street and 300 feet on Melrose avenue, and it has been stated that as soon as negotiations are concluded work on the erection of the theatre will be begun. Providing the construction of the theatre can be carried out without delay the new theatre will be ready for use early next summer. The style of architecture will be something distinctive and original in the way of a suburban theatre. Associated with Mr. Heidingsfeld in the venture are Isaac Libson, owner and manager of a chain of theatres in Cincinnati; Joseph Rhinock, the B. F. Keith interests, and the Harris interests of Pittsburgh. Will Direct Hammerstein Myron Selznick, production manager of Selznick Pictures Corporation, announces that George Archainbaud will direct Elaine Hammerstein in her next Selznick picture, "The Girl from Nowhere,' following her completion of "Poor Dear Margaret Kirby," written by Kathleen Norris and directed by William P. S. Earle. 'Inthefhadow of X <he Dome* A David G. Fischer Production AN interesting account of the presentation of motion pictures in a small New Zealand town is contained in a letter recently received by S. L. Rothapfel of the Capitol Theatre, New York City, from W. F. Hick of Hastings, N. Z. Mr. Hick wrote to compliment Mr. Rothapfel upon his series of articles which appeared in Moving Picture World. He is a writer of photoplays. "This (Hastings) is a small country town of about 9,000 population, mostly engaged in farming and so forth," writes Mr. Hick. "We have two houses devoted to pictures; one of them also accommodates occasional road shows. At both houses Power and Simplex projectors are installed, the film being shown without a break to change spools. Incidentally, I may mention that our spools hold 2,000 feet each. "Programs run about two and one-half hours, with a ten-minute interval, and we always get two features, supported by gazettes and scenics. I personally would prefer one feature only, as being sufficient for any reasonable man, but others think differently. This rule obtains all over New Zealand, except in one or two houses in the four big towns. Recently we had 'On with the Dance' and *23j/£ Hours Leave' on one change. 'The Tong Man' and The Devil's Trail' arc bracketed at present at one house; tomorrow we have 'Everywoman' and 'Mary's Ankle' on one screening. "Orchestras here have four performers THE Miami Valley Exhibitors' League looks forward to an active and successful future. John Siefert, manager of the Rialto and Ideal theatres of Dayton, Ohio, was responsible in large measure for the phenomenal growth and activity of the league during the past year, but certain forces are said to have become too strong and he was asked to resign some months ago. Since then he has neither attended a meeting of the league nor taken part in any of its activities. With pending state and civic legislation threatening the business, the membership realized that a vigorous aggressive policy was needed and Mr. Siefert was recalled and enthusiastically re-elected president. Following the action Al Kinsler was elected secretary and Paul Banker treasurer. Mr. Siefert announces: "It will be my policy to inaugurate such movements as will best serve the interests of the exhibitor, and with Sunday closing threatening us from the state and local censorship threatening frcm the civic side, it certainly behooves the exhibitor to be up and doing to protect his business from unwarranted aggression. "It shall be the purpose of the league from now on to fight with all its resources any effort to enforce the existing Sunday closing laws, and it will have introduced in the next legislature a bill to legalize the showing of motion pictures on Sunday in the state of Ohio. "Propaganda in behalf of this measure is now being circulated, and it is the purpose of the league to bear the expense of this campaign itself and to conduct its fight in a frank and fearless manner from the headquarters of the Miami Valley Exhibitors' League, asking the co-operation of all exhibitors' organizations who wish to combat any encroachments. and no attempt is made to supply special music to suit the picture, except in rare instances. The only attempt I have ever seen to create atmosphere was with 'The Miracle Man.' The orchestra was doubled and we had a special musical score. The feature was preceded by a serial, 'The Lightning Raider,' and a gazette. During the gazette the orchestra played the overture to 'Maritana,' then an operatic contralto sang 'Sweet Spirit, Hear My Prayer' and The Miracle Man' commenced during the sing ing of the song. This procedure was followed all over the country, as the film was released as a 'special feature' on a percentage basis. "Our usual prices approximate to 12 and 25 cents (reserves 30 cents) but for features the charges are doubled. The Miracle Man' charges were trebled and packed the theatre two nights here and five nights in a nearby town of 12,000. "A good many of the pictures shown here are exotic in style and treatment to New Zealanders, and some of their -finest points are missed or misunderstood. People here love straight-out melodrama; Fox is a very popular producer. . . Taking it all in all, we are well served by our exchanges, one of which handles practically everything except Paramount, Fox and Metro. We get a few English productions but they are sorry stuff for the most part and I am glad American firms are now operating over there." "Exhibitors or patrons desiring information as to how they may most effectively combat further encroachments in their 'pursuit of happiness' should communicate with the Miami Valley Exhibitors' League, Dayton, Ohio." Tearle Begins New Picture Following the completion of the Hobart Henley production, "Society Snobs," Conway Tearle has begun active work on the forthcoming Selznick picture, 'The Fighter," under the direction of Henry Kolker, according to an announcement by Myron Selznick, production head of Selznick Pictures Corporation. "The Fighter" is declared to contain a wealth of excellent material for Mr. Tearle, and will be one of the most pretentious productions ever made by the Selznick organization. The story was written by Albert Payson Terhune, and picturized by the R. Cecil Smith. DOWN WITH THE SOUR SUNDAY John Siefert Again Becomes President of the Miami Valley Exhibitors League