The Moving picture world (February 1920)

836 MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 12, 1921 Pat he Exchange Opens New Headquarters to Handle Its Largely Increased Business WHAT is probably, says Pathe, the most modern and complete building of its type owned by any motion picture company in the United States was opened by Pathe Exchange, Inc., at 35 West 45th Street, February 1. The new building now houses, in the upper six stories, the entire home office organization of Pathe, in addition to the entire staff of the Pathe News, with the exception of the positive printing plant. This will continue to occupy its former quarters. The opening of the Pathe Building is significant of the progress made by this organization. In two years particularly it grew so rapidly that its old quarters were unable to hold it. President Brunet thereupon decided upon the erection of the new building. Every modern appliance and convenience is to be found in the new building. The executive offices, with that of President Brunet, will be located on the eleventh floor. There will also be the meeting room of the board of directors. The eighth floor will be the first occupied and will house the office manager, the comptroller, the branch auditing and statistical departments, and others. The ninth floor will be given over to the publicity department, the advertising department, purchasing department, the Pathe Sun, the scenery department, and the production manager, in addition to stenographers. The sales department and a modernly equipped projection room will occupy the tenth floor, where Director of Exchanges Elmer Pearson presides. The projection room on this floor will be used for public and press showings, and for reviews by the Pathe reviewing committee. A considerable portion of the twelfth floor will be devoted to the Pathe News, with the film editing manager and department, Pathe Review editor and three projection rooms. The Pathe News organization will be maintained distinct from the home office, and will have its own separate telephone service, but will be in closest touch with the executive departments. A private telegraph wire is also maintained by the Pathe News to further its news gathering interests. Praises Ray Picture In the opinion of Edward L. Hyman, managing director of the Mark Strand Theatre, Brooklyn, "Nineteen and Phyllis" is the very greatest production in which Charles Ray has ever appeared. This is the star's third independently-produced picture for First National, in which he is presented by Arthur S. Kane. Mr. Hyman's judgment appears to be in perfect accord with that of Brooklyn fans generally, for during a week's run at the big Strand Theatre in that borough the house was packed at every showing and the audiences were constantly at a high pitch of enthusiasm. Chas. Whittaker Addresses Philadelphia Scenario Class Charles E. Whittaker, the well-known scenario writer, who has written and adapted photoplays for practically all the big producing companies, delivered an interesting talk before the class of photoplay study and scenario writing at Temple University in Philadelphia on Monday evening, January 17. "I am willing to admit the equality of the sexes," said Mr. Whittaker, "but not the superiority of all women. That is the one predominant feature of America." From his own knowledge of scenario writing and observations, Mr. Whittaker believes the time is not far distant when there will be fewer adaptations of stage productions and novels to the screen. He holds that scenario writing is a highly specialized THE entire Robertson-Cole organization was moved from its recent location at 1600 Broadway, New York City, into the new Robertson-Cole home office building, 723 Seventh avenue, between the close of the working day, Saturday, and the opening of Monday, January 31. So careful was the removal planned that not an hour was lost. The six upper floors of the new Robertson-Cole Building, a thirteen-story structure standing at the corner of Seventh avenue and 48th street, are now occupied by Robertson-Cole. The executive offices of the Robertson-Cole Company and the Robertson-Co'e Distributing Corporation are on the tenth floor. The Robertson-Cole New York Exchange is on the eighth floor. The contract department and other clerical offices are on the ninth. On the eleventh floor are the auditing department, Robertson-Cole Distributing Corporation offices and the publicity department. On the twelfth floor are situated the foreign department and the theatres, of which there are two. The thirteenth floor is occupied by the shipping department and the stock rooms. RobertsonCole issues a cordial invitation to all its friends to pay an early call to its new home, where even greater strides will be made toward giving the exhibitor better and a more profitable product. Hines Scores Hit on Tour Johnny Hines, star in the Torchy Comedies made from the stories by Sewell Ford art and should be regarded as a separate profession from stagecraft. Concerning the subject of censorship, Mr. Whittaker compared England's method of voluntary censorship with those of the state-appointed boards in the United States. He also discussed Sardou's "La Tosca" for the members of the scenario class, which now comprises 125 men and women. and released through Educational Exchanges, this week completes a three weeks' personal tour of the Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh exchange territories. During that time he appeared in some 200 theatres. According to Educational, this trip was arranged at the request of exhibitors themselves, and was made possible only because production of the Torchy Comedies is so far ahead of schedule. The February release of the series is "Torchy's Night Hood" and this will be followed by "Torchy's Big Lead." Official Washington Turns Out to See "Way Dow East" D. W. Griffith's production of "Way Down East" was given its first presentation in Washington, D. C, at Poli's Theatre on Monday evening, January 31, before one of the most distinguished audiences ever assembled in a theatre in America. VicePresident and Mrs. Marshall and the full membership of President Wilson's cabinet attended the opening, as did Chief Justice White and all the members of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Griffith spoke feelingly of the splendid reception given his work. He was tendered an ovation when he stepped upon the stage. The theatre presented a brilliant scene, the full dress regalia of the foreign ambassadors and their staffs forming a striking contrast to the conventional evening clothes. POOR GIRL—SHE ONLY DROPPED A PIN IN THE COURT Pauline Starke, as she is in the neiu Fox picture, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" Robertson-Cole Organization Moves Into Its Own Building at 723 Seventh Avenue