The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 20, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 313 First National Exploitation Division Formed to Serve Exhibitors Everywhere THE Associated First National Pictures, Inc., has inaugurated an exploitation division, with representatives stationed in every exchange center, for the beneiit of the exhibitors of the country. The organization of the new^ department is another step in the carrying out of the principle of "exhibitor service" which has actuated the company since its formation. The division has been in operation for several weeks and has assisted many showmen thus far in putting over pictures in a big way. The results achieved have won the praise of the exhibitors, who are said to be swamping the exchanges with requests for the services of these "Minute Men" in exploiting First National attractions. As an association of exhibitors. First National is pledged to the policy of assisting the showmen in every possible manner, and the establishment of the department is an elaboration of this policy. The agents are subject to the call of any exhibitors in putting over a First Nationalattraction anywhere. Many of the agents are veteran showmen, and all of them have been carefully selected for their demonstrated ability and accomplishments. The staff is headed by Ned Holmes, one of the most widely known showmen in the country and rated one of the best. He entered the show business many years ago, following a career in the newspaper profession, and has had managerial charge of some of the most celebrated stars of the theatre and circus. At various times he has been associated in this capacity with Col. W. F. Cody, Modjeska, Lewis Morrison, -Rose Coghlan, Sadie Martinot, Kathryn Kidder, Marie Cahill, De Wolf Hopper, Robert Edeson, Helen Ware, Creston Clarke, Grace Van Studdiford and others. After Jack Dempsey became world's champion Mr. Holmes took him out in his first show. He has even "managed" a city and acted as mentor to the Infanta Eulalia of Spain when she came here as the guest of this country. Mr. Holmes has been in charge of numerous big publicity campaigns national in scope. He has handled many big pictures, from the days of Paul J. Rainey's African hunt pictures down to "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," which he directed throughout its record-setting Chicago engagement of 379 performances at $2 top. Mr. Holmes has gathered about him a carefully selected corp of assistants, and the division is now in full operation. It is composed of the following: J. M. Loughborough, who began his career in St. Louis as reporter for Globe-Democrat; Chicago, on the City Press Association, the Daily News and the Inter-Ocean (night city editor and Sunday editor of latter) ; New York, on Evening World and Evening Journal as reporter, re-write man and copyreader; wrote special articles for the Journal and novelized Ethel Barrymore's play, "Her Sister." Entered motion pictures in Metro publicity dept. ; resigned, went to Plattsburgh, commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry; went to France with 77th Division, promoted to captaincy on Vesle front; in publicity department Fox Film a year, then exploited premiere showing of Georges Carpentier in "The Wonder Man" for Robertson-Cole. From exploiting Loughborough went into selling end for Pathe, working out of St. Louis, then Albany. Winner in two prize sales-contests in the latter territory ; subsequently manager Pathe Albany exchange. When Marshal Foch visited this country Mr. Loughborough was chosen by Americaji Legion to handle publicity on the trip, and at its conclusion was awarded the rank of Chevalier in the Legion of Honor by the French Government. Fred W. McClellan (Los Angeles) started in early 90's with Frank W. Sanger as treasurer and manager of the road attractions "Harbor Lights," "Hoodman Blind," "Mr. Barnes of New York," "Sign of the Cross,' etc. ; later identified with Michael Shea of Buffalo, N. Y., as manager of his Music Hall. In 1901, as general manager of Thompson's and Dundy's enterprises at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y., became permanently associated with those showmen and remained with them for nine years as general manager of Luna Park, Coney Island, and their personal representative at the New York Hippodrome. Upon the retirement from Luna Park of Frederic Thompson, McClellan entered into partnership with Thomas J. Ryan of Philadelphia and with him, designed, built and operated Point Breeze Park in that city for two years successfully. In 1914, at behest of Harry R. Raver, started out as exploitation man and Pacific Coast representative, taking with him to San Francisco the then "big noise" of the movie world, "Cabiria," the first multiple reel feature shown at 75 cents top on the coast ; managed "The Panama Canal" show at San Francisco Exposition. Since then connected at various times with D. W. Griffith, J. J. McCarthy, Sol Lesser, and others ; for the last two years with the exploitation and exhibition department of Famous Players-Lasky. H. P. Joslyn (Chicago), formerly a newspaper man with the New York Times, Buffalo News, Toledo Blade, Detroit News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chicago Daily News, as writer or editor ; also advertising man. J. J. Gilmore (St. Louis). First became identified with film business by presenting vaudeville and moving pictures ; managed first park at Moline, 111. for Traction Co.; owned first vaudeville and picture theatre in the town. During winter seasons managed and exploited legitimate attractions. Managed and exploited many films. H. G. Gill (Kansas City) beg:an as operator over ten years ago; 1912 joined the sales forces of an independent exchange in Wichita, Kan; next with Universal at Oklahoma City, thence to Kansas City office of complany. Opened and maintained publicity department, covering Kansas City, Wichita, Oklahoma City and Fort Smith offices; opened an independent exchange in Kansas City territory; affiliated with Enterprise Optical Co., Chicago, as factory representative in Middle West; salesman for Fox, Dallas ; returned to Kansas City, and was representing Associated First National Pictures, Inc., in Western Kansas, when drafted for Exploitation Division. Roe S. Eastman (Cincinnati) came to industry at the suggestion of Roy H. Haines, manager of the Cincinnati First National exchange, last September, after seventeen years as newspaper writer and editor in Cincinnati district, in 1914. N. C. Wagner (Pittsburgh). Born and educated in St. Joseph, Mo. ; entered theatrical profession as treasurer old Tootle Theatre. Later managed Lyceum Theatre for two years. One year with John D. Hopkins Theatre, Chicago ; operated Wagner's Wonderland Theatre in St. Joseph four years with stock and vaudeville. First road engagement, "The Sign of the Cross" under Fred Berger's management; managed Blaney Empire Theatre in Pittsburgh two seasons ; piloted W. A. Brady attraction on road for seven years ; subsequently with H. H. Frazee attractions; entered picture field { exploited for Elliott and Sherman in the western states. Previous to joining Associated First National was representative for George Broadhurst's production, "The Storm." W. H. Laurance (Minneapolis) broke in as singer of illustrated songs in an Ohio town; after a year he and E. J. Eichenlaub, now manager of Chicago First National exchange, "barnstormed" awhile, then landed in Chicago, where Mr. Eichenlaub formed a company to market first American-made state-right feature, "Twenty Years in Sing Sing." After two years went into publicity department of Eclair Company in New York as assistant to "Wid" Gunning; in September, 1913, went to Indianapolis, first as manager for Warner Features, afterwards as branch manager for World; traveled for two years as salseman for Mutual out of Chicago; salesman for Fox in same territory; assistant Chicago manager for Fox ; transferred to the Minneapolis oflSce, 1917; with Select as assistant manager and exploitation representative until February, 1920, then joined First National forces as publicity and accessories manager. H. S. ("Jack") Fuld (New Jersey). Born New York City; started in picture business as musician; three years with Wurlitzer, managed several small theatres; then joined Motion Picture News, 1913; in 1916 went to Exhibitors Trade Review as editor of exploitation and equipment editor; in 1919 and 1920 was with Famous Players as associate editor of house organ. In 1920 back to Trade Review as editor of exploitation and equipment. Hal Olver (Boston). Comes of theatrical family; started with a circus, later press agent of a dramatic stock company; several years on the road as advance agent; connected with the publicity office of Charles Emerson Cook, New York; personal publicity and business manager for legitimate players; newspaper reporter, copy and proofreader and cartoonist; two years in the intelligence branch of the U. S. Army; road job, then press agent with stock company, Bridgeport, Conn.; exploitation. Paramount, Goldwyn, Robertson-Cole. Harold Beecroft, born and reared in New York City; son of F. M. Beecroft, advertising manager of Motion Picture News; sailed in British merchant marine for four years; served with the British Army in 1915, later overseas with American forces; sold film for Pathe, 1919-1920; went into stock and bond business. Had own stock trading office in Boston. W. Bender (Milwaukee) sales department International Typesetting Machine Company 1911-1914; circulation manager. Printing Trade News 1914-1916; field manager Reilly Construction Co., Santo Domingo, 1915-1917; chief pharmacist's mate U. S. Navy 1917-1919; sales department Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company 1919-1920; advertising department New York Times, 1920-1922. Edwin Ray Coffin (Omaha) native of Iowa; studied law and did court reporting; early newspaper experience ; operated real estate and {Continued on page 314)