The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

November 25, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 321 A "Youngster" in the Northwest Looking for the "Daddy of Them All," the "youngster" of the Northwest was located. At that he can boast of ten years of active contact with pictures. He is Mack DeLong, owner of the Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Mr. DeLong is not yet twenty-one, but he owns one of the prettiest little houses in the territory. He has been everything from janitor, doorman, operator on up since he was a kid in knee breeches, and has a brilliant future ahead of him. It's always open house for the film salesman who calls on "Mack," although his is 100 per cent. Universal, as he figures his town is just right for that particular product. Following this policy has contributed largely to his success, he says. You Might Call Louisville the Paradise of Exhibitors Mthnugh there have been a couple f theatres added in the downtown i liict inside of the last couple of I S. the city could undoubtedly sup ii rl another big picture house, as ■ liirina; Rood weather all of the lead picture houses are constantly i.immed, and it means long waits for SI, its on Saturdays and Snndavs, as w II as the last two night shows. I\'i,<;lit now the local houses showin.g jniid pictures at 30 cents for adults, iiii lnrling war tax, are packing them in The .Mamo Theatre put its in ices up to 40 cents for a short time lint drooped back to 30 cents. There has been discussion concernMi'j the possibilities of remodeling 1 line new building on Fifth street, 'ncted for a big general market Iiiuise and of fireproof constructiini, which made a dismal failure IS a market house and was closed. This building could be converted into a picture theatre at relatively liiw cost. It is within a radius of til i ce blocks of seven theatres, and nnlv a block and a half from Fourth and Walnut, the busiest corner in tlio city. City officials of Louisville started a movement the past week to con(kmn ten feet or so of property in the east side of Fourth street, frnni Chestnut to Broadway, for u idening the street. This would affi rt the Kentucky Theatre, recently c^Hiipletcd, but it is not believed that ilicre is much danger of any condmnation plan being adopted, as the ( iiv hasn't the necessary money to Miidertake any such movement. Work is progressing on the new Baxter Theatre, in the Hiehlands. wl'ich wJ'l cost obout $50,000 and which will seat 1,000. The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Kentucky haven't held a meeting since the State meeting last April, when there were some legislative conditions up for discussion. Indications are that the usual spring meeting will be held next year, but as it will not be a legislative year there will be no rush work, as any work ■ tndertaken will be for 1924 when the Icsrislature again meets. The Louisville Photoplay Association, composed of the exhibitors, meets regularly for discussion of general conditions as thev arise. Both the Alamo and Walnut Theatres, of Louisville, have been issuing $5 and $10 ticket books, or coupon books, the tickets from which are transfcrrablc at the box office for tickets The idea of issuing the books was in connection with a voting contest, to establish popular brands in I ouisville, in which a $5 book co^'rr^i 10.000 votes and a $10 book 20.000 votes, while a 25 cent matinee ticket is good for 2.'i0 votes ?nd an evening ticket, 300 votes, ^red Dollc stated that he believed it was the first time a picture house here had issued a coupon book, and that the idea has possibilities for holidav gift use. and could perhaps be worked out to advantage on a discount inducement plan under normal conditions. Kansas City The Wichita, Palace, Miller and Princess theatres of Wichita, Kas., were merged last week with the formation of the Consolidated Amusement Co., which will operate all four theatres. Officers of the company are : L. M. Miller, president; M. B. Shanbere, vice-president, and Stanley N. Chambers, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Chambers also is managing director of the four theatres. Beginning the hst of November, the Princess Theatre will house a stock company. John Donovan Still Managing Pittsburgh's Regent Theatre Rowland and Clark's Regent Theatre in East Liberty, Pittsburgh, celebrated its eighth anniversary during the week of November 6, with Thomas Meighan, Pittsburgh's own star, in "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow." John P. Donovan has been manager of the Regent since its opening. J. P. McGovern is no longer manager of the Victoria Theatre, Altoona, Pa. The George Brothers, Jimmie and Athens, are managing and buying the pictures themselves. McGovern is back with the Supreme Productions of Pittsburgh, in the distribution end of the business. By a deal just closed, Isaac and Jake Silverman of the Strand Theatre, Altoona, Pa., have purchased a plot of ground directly opposite the Gable Arcade, Altoona's largest department store. The consideration was not made known. The Silverman Brothers announced that the acquisition was acquired for the purpose of assisting in the development of Twelfth avenue as a business thoroughfare. The buildings on Walnut street occupied by the Walnut Theatre, the Apollo Apartments and four shops, have been purchased by local theatrical interests. All of the stock in the buildings was purchased by Joseoh L. Steuerle, Fred .1. Dolle, T.ouis F. Steurle and .\dolph Reutlinger. The purchasers announced that they will continue to operate the Walnut Theatre as previously, handling the building as well as the show house. The other buildings will be rented as at present. Extensive improvements in the theatre building are to be made next spring, it was said. The amount involved in the deal was understood tn be in the neighborhood of $100000. Charlie Richlieu of the Richlieu Theatre, Bedford, Pa., was one of the earliest of the hunters in Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by Dr. Tims, also of Bedford. William Walker, formerly treasurer of the Gayety Theatre, Pittsburgh, has purchased the Sheridan Theatre, Sheridan, Pa., from Mr. Stanbough. John Zwick, of the Olympic at Finleyville, Pa., is another of our exhibitor friends who has heard the call of the wilds and shouldered his gun. Don't know yet whether or not he has had any luck. James Steele, proprietor of the Bellevue and Avalon Theatres, accompanied by his wife and daughter, is going to Stewart. Florida. Mr. Steele expects to build a winter home in that town. S. Pearlstein has sold the Regent Theatre at McKees Rocks, Pa., to M. Akselrad, the new owner having taken charge the first of November. Akselrad was the original owner of the house, and two years ago sold it to Pearlstein. The latter says he is going out of the theatre business for good. The Regent seats 400. Monday, November 13, was reopening day for the rebuilt Virginian Theatre, r. Charleston, W. Va. For the present. First National pictures are the exclusive attractions. Under roof by December 1 is the goal set by the West Virginia Amusement Company, Fairmont, W. Va., in the construction of the new $300,000 theatre adjoining the Watson Hotel on Main street. Since M. S. D. Brady, secretary of the company, took over the construction work of the theatre, the building has been rising very rapidly. Plans are by Fred W. Elliot, of Columbus, Ohio, and the theatre will probably be the finest in the state, as well as the largest building in Fairmont. Frank Fairgraves, of the Regent and Princess theatres, Erie, will have his new 1,100-seat State Theatre there ready for opening about December 1. Wm. I. Forrey, manager of the Exhibitors Film Exchange, who has been absent from his office for seventeen weeks owing to a serious illness, is recovering slowly and it will probably be some time before he will be able to again resume his duties. St. Louis The Rivoli Theatre. Sixth, near Olive street, is scheduled to open November 18 with "The Storm." The program will also include International News and a Century comedy. Barney Rosenthal. Universal manager, has spent $25,000 in improving this theatre, which was purchased recently from Harry Koplar. Henri Chouteau plans to spend $50,000 in improvements at the Odeon Theatre, Grand boulevard at Finney avenue. The entrance will be enlarged by abolishing two of the four stores on the Grand boulevard frontage. The improvement also includes a covered run way along the north side of the building with an opening into the f6yer. When the decorations and improvements are concluded the Odeon will be re-opened as a picture theatre. Phil Rvan, vice-president of the Capitol Enterprise Corporation, is reported to be improving from his recent illness. Mr. Ryan has been confined to his home for about three weeks with pneumonia, and for a while he was seriously ill. but the crisis was soon passed and we are glad to hear that Mr. Ryan is on the road to recovery. Capitol Enterorises control several theatres in Kansas City. Yes, It's the Same Dibble "The name of Dibble brought back memories of my kid days," writes Arthur M. Bowler, assistant manager of the Rialto Theatre, Amsterdam, N. Y., referring to a recent mention, in Regional News and Gossip, of John P. Dibble, of Branford, Conn. Mr. Bowler recalls the days when "Dibble's Moving Pictures" used to play Amsterdam and wants to know if John P. is the same Dibble. He is, as Mr. Bowler must have learned from Mr. Dibble's history published in the last issue, which he evidently hadn't seen when he wrote us. "Mr. Dibble and I became friends after several visits," he says, "and on one trip, when he played Gloversville, fourteen miles away, he took me with him and I worked the 'effects' in such pictures as 'The Vendetta.' I was not over 8 or 9 years old then. I am thirty now."