The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

Regional News and gossip EDITED BY SUMNER SMITH A Christmas Message to Exhibitors SHOULD the Regional News and Gossip Department be renamed the Exhibitors' News and Gossip Department? We'd Hke to have the opinions of exliibitors on this. This is their own department, and shouldn't it be named for them? We have used '"Regional" because the news comes from everywhere in the U. S. A., but that idea seems, to us, really of secondary importance. What do you think of the new style ? We've graduated from four columns to three, which means a much more easily readable page. This will be a permanent feature; it means that this genuine exhibitor department, the first <tnd only one in any trade paper, is here to stay; that it will continue serving exhibitors to the best of its ability until Gabriel blows his trumpet. We know from letters already received, that this will be real Christmas news to exhibitors, and we are proud of it. Some film folks said exhibitors didn't give a particular darn for any news but that involving picture values, that gossipy items about what their brothers are doing wouldn't be warmly welcomed. Those skeptical persons are proved all wrong by the reception exhibitors have accorded their department. We knew that would be the case, because in this day of exhibitor organization and increasing exhibitor strength through organization, the theatre men are vitally concerned in what their brothers are doing. They have met each other at conventions and know each other as human beings, not merely as names, and they want at all times to keep in touch with each other. That is our chief mission here — to enable exhibitors to keep in personal touch with each other. There are other missions, not yet fully developed, such as affording exhibitors the opportunity to swap opinions through this department, and they will be realized in due time. We want to take this opportunity to thank exhibitors for the interest in and support of this department. It's young but lusty, and we have great hopes for its future. With continued exhibitor co-operation the battle will be to make it better and better, week after week — and never "good enough." A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you all. Five Theatres Burned in $10,000,000 Oregon Fire All eyes have been turned toward Astoria, Oregon, since the magnitude of the $10,000,000 fire, which wiped out the business district and a portion of the old residence district over an area of thirty square blocks was first reported December 8. Messages of sympathy and aid were sent by naval radio from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and like action taken by similar organizations in other cities. The fire got beyond control by eating under the pilings upon which the city is built on the banks of the Columbia River. Looking at the terrible disaster from one trade angle alone, it sums itself np in the total destruction of Ave theatres: the Astoria, a legritlmate house; the Columbia, a small 10-cent theatre, and the new Blue Mouse, the Liberty and the Star theatres, all owned and operated by the Astoria Amusement Company, of which John Hamrick is managing director. Mr. Hamrick received the news at his desk in Seattle. Disposing of important matters requiring his immediate attention took until train time. He taxied to the depot through a blinding snowstorm, arriving ten minutes late for the 1 :30 train. Chartering another taxi, Mr. Hamrick beat the train to Tacoma, where he boarded it, arriving in Astoria in the evening. Here he learned that due to the prompt and untiring efforts of Arthur Hile, his local manager, all office records had been saved. In addition, every print was rescued, being moved four different times to a place of safety. The mechanism out of the Blue Mouse Simplex machines was also removed to safety. Mr. Hamrick has just returned to Seattle. He reports that the spirit and courage of the stricken people is remarkable. Out of the still smoldering ashes of the old -Astoria, they are eagerly planning the erection of a better city. In co-operation with the mayor and leading citizens, who a'-e planning the immediate erection of a temporary community center, removed a short distance from the scene of the fire, as soon as the location is decided upon, Mr. Hamrick will build a temporary Blue Mouse, seating 1,000, and has promised a finer theatre will be raised out of the ashes of the beautiful house, so lately opened. Mr. Hamrick's message to the people, which reached them through the medium of large advertisements in the first papers to be printed following the disaster, was one of confidence and co-operation, carrying his personal pledge of sympathy and faith In them, and by its simple dignity was carried far above the plane of an ordinary commercial advertisement. Mr. McRae, of Issaquah, Wash., is reported to have taken over the Glenn Theatre, formerly operated by R. H. Glenn. Reports have been received here of the total loss through fire of O. Peitrich's Rex Theatre, Vale, Oregon. Mr. Peitrich does not know at this time whether he will rebuild. According to a wire received from J. J. Parker, owner of the Majestic, Portland, where "Doctor Jack" is in its third capacity week, patrons were standing in long lines for the last show in the ninth day, and the first two weeks' receipts about equalled the four weeks' receipts of "Grandrna's Boy," which recently showed at the Heilig. It has been cold in Seattle, but that is nothing to the winter experienced by exhibitors in other parts of the Pacific Northwest, according to correspondence received along the row. Many are complaining that it is the coldest winter they have ever ,;xperienced in the business. And many of the Northwesterners will swim through torrents of rain to see a picture, while one measly icicle will keep them indoors over the fire. R. L. Ruggles, of the Liberty and Dream Theatres, Chehalis, Wash., is in Seattle fo' a couple of days. For its entire circuit, the Blue Mouse Theatre Co. has booked the F. B. O. product, consisting of features and comedies, which include Carter de Haven and Plum Center comedies and Travelaughs. The Film Booking releases will probably be alternated with the United Artists' product which has also been booked by the same circuit. Jack Allender and wife and "Young Jack" are in Seattle from Spokane for a few days. Mr. Allender, who operates a circuit, has again taken over the Liberty in Moscow, Idaho, recently sold to C. A. Coates. R. K. Dunham was scheduled to open his new Rex Theatre, Mount Vernon, Dec 16 The new house is built upon the site of the old one, which was completely demolished to make way for it. It seats 450. The Coliseum Theatre management announces the acquisition of M. Jacques Beaucaire as orchestra leader.