The Moving picture world (April 1921)

April 2, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 473; Ryan in Charge of Franchise Activities of Associated Exhibitors9 Sales Force PHIL L. RYAN, former sales manager of Associated Exhibitors, has been placed in complete charge of the franchise activities of the Associated Exhibitors' sales force throughout the United States as manager of franchises, and will begin immediately the upbuilding of the extensive system outlined in the reorganization plans of the company. Congratulatory expressions of good will and pledges of support for the new franchise plan have been coming in to the offices of the company from exhibitors in every part of the country, and Mr. Ryan feels assured that the hundreds of exhibitors consulted in the preparation of the Associated plan will quickly be co-ordinated into an effective body. The franchise, situation calls for specialization of a high order, it is felt, and Mr. Ryan is peculiarly well fitted for the task, as he has devoted his efforts for almost a year to the study and development of franchise plans and efforts. In his work with Associated Mr. Ryan has traveled through almost every branch territory in the country, conferring with exhibitors and getting their ideas of the essentials of an absolutely fair franchise arrangement. The result of these conferences is found in the new Associated franchise. He feels that it is really an exhibitor's document and is cordial in his praise of the exhibitor co-operation with which Associated has been favored. "I believe the ideal we have been striving for, the creation of a just and fair franchise has been achieved," Mr. Ryan said in discussing the new plan. "We have had the benefit of splendid advice. Exhibitors' advice was sought and eagerly welcomed, and the efforts of Samuel Harding, of Kansas City, now the president of Associated, and of Paul Gusdanovic, of Cleveland, now vicepresident, are embodied in the franchise and are keenly appreciated. "We have had the soundest advice not alone from exhibitors but from men of distinguished success in production and distribution. The widespread reputation of Arthur S. Kane, not alone for his success, but for his standing with exhibitors for integrity and fair dealing, is some assurance of the value of his advice in the formulation of the plan. The invaluable experience of Paul Brunet, president of the Pathe Exchange, and of Elmer R. Pearson, director of exchanges, was also felt to a large extent in the formulation of the plan. "The backbone of the franchise comes from the expressed desires and necessities of exhibitors themselves. I am happy to continue in association with men whose vision made possible the Associated idea and to bend every effort toward the complete establishment of the Associated franchise plan. I know the plan is right. I am confident exhibitors want it, and I am glad to be of assistance in getting it before them."' Mr. Ryan's new task comes to him after a successful career as a motion picture executive in the field and in the center of the organization. He enjoyed the advantages of a wide experience in general merchandising and in sales direction in Colorado, Utah,, Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska before he was attracted to the motion picture industry. A. C. Johnson and J. H. Macfarland Have Opened Publicity Offices in New York ALFRED CHENEY JOHNSTON and James Hood Macfarland have incorcorporated under the name of Johnston-Macfarland, Inc., and have opened offices at 67-69 West 46th street. They will act as managers and representatives of leading actresses and actors and will also establish a publicity bureau. This new enterprise will not interfere with Mr. Johnston's photographic work as the business will be in charge of Mr. Macfarland. The publicity bureau will be one of the strongest combinations in the publicity field. Other activities of this new corporation will include that of booking agents and play brokers. Mr. Johnston is well known in theatricals and motion pictures for his unexcelled portrait and still photography. He recently was engaged in making stills for Alan Dwan's forthcoming production, "The Per fect Crime," and making portraits of West Coast stars. His work in this direction places him in the position of being an excellent judge of screen types. Mr. Macfarland, who recently resigned from the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, has had much experience in publicity matters. He has handled publicity for many famous stars including Billie Burke, Mae Murray, Dorothy Dalton, Thomas Meighan, Irene Castle, Mary Miles Minter and many others, including such directors as George Fitzmaurice, John S. Robertson and Charles Maigne. Along Metropolitan Lines Plans for operation of the Lyric Theatre, Cincinnati, now showing Shubert attractions, and Gift's Theatre, a picture house, along metropolitan lines wilf be formulated by Jerome T. Jackson and I. W. McMahon, managers of Gift's Theatre, who left recently for New York to study operations of several of the large picture theatres there. Managers McMahon and Jackson have options on the Lyric for next season, which house is to be abandoned by the Shubert interests because of the erection of anew theatre in Cincinnati for their shows. Archie Graver Dead Archie Graver, the popular young motion picture projectionist of the 18th and Ridgeavenue Theatre, Philadelphia, died from an attack of influenza Friday, March 18, at the West Philadelphia Homeopathic Hospital. Archie Graver worked for the Steifel houses for' over ten years and was a member of Local No. 307. J. M. Graver, the well known manager of the Liberty, who is the brother of the decedent, extends his thanks to the business men's motion picture associations and to all his friends connected with the industry for their condolences. MAE MURRAY AS "THE GILDED LILY" AND THEN WITH THE GILT OFF AND ON AGAIN The intimate life of a Broadway dancer is depicted in "The Gilded Lily," a Paramount picture