The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

December 30, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 851 Albany Exhibitors Urged to Watch Film Shipments Exhibitors in the Albany, N. Y., section have just received a letter from the Albany Film Board of Trade, which, if followed, .will go a long ways toward righting a situation which has existed for some time past, and which has been a hardship to more than one exhibitor through the negligence of others in shipping film on time. It appears that there has been a tendency on the part of some exhibitors to hold over film, apparently forgetting that some other exhibitor probably has the same picture booked for the next day. Fortunately there are not very many such fellows in the Albany territory, but the few who do exist are responsible for much of the confusion which the Board of Trade would like to see cleared away by the first of the year. In some instances, exhibitors, forgetting to ship the film, have blamed the express or other carriers. It is expected that the letter will bring about a remedying of the condition. Lewis Fischer, of the Playhouse in Ticonderoga, was in town this week, and even to the exchanges admitcd freely that business was topnotch. J. Brofif, of the Lyric in Albany, is smiling all over these days on account of good business, and that in face of the holidays. Mr. Brofif has just booked a couple of serials, "Buffalo Bill" and the "Radio King," for early showing. In BnllMton Spa, N. Y., there is talk now nt putting; in an anti-Sunday motion picture ticliet in tlie Held for tlie village election!* next sprinig. This move is heing engineered I>y those who are not sntisfled with tlie recent referendum vote in the village on Sunday movies. Members of the villasre hoard will seek re-election next spring, and have already said to have agreed to stand or fall on their action In granting Sunday shows. The Leland in Albany has a cat which is very fond of the movies, particularly those which portray animal life. It is nothing uncommon to see "Tabby" perched on the arm of some seat, watching a picture as it passes before her on the silver screen. In fact, the cat is one of the prized possessions of Oscar Perrin, manager of the house. Syracuse decorators are busv at the Graylin Theatre, in Gouverneur, preparing it for the opening early in January. The house has been undergoing extensive repairs. Rubber flooring will be used for the main portion of the house, as well as the lobby. The house is being run by Harry Papayanakos. The majority of Albany's theatres have already assumed their holiday decorations, those at the Leland and Strand being particularly attractive. Still the annual meeting of the Albany Theatrical Managers' Association is being postponed from time to time, and it now looks as though it would not be held until some time in January. William Berinstein was rp from New York this week and closeted at the Colonial for some time with George Roberts, his local manager, in eoine over preliminary plans for the new $200,000 house which he will erect at once in Little Falls. Practically all of the local exhibitors have paid their compliments to Edwin Weinberp-, through visiting the State, just opened in Schenectady. The Leland did exceptionally well the last three days this week witli a Tom Mix special, "Do and Dare." In fact, Thursday's receipts were ahead of a similar Thursday when "Under Two Flags" was played. The Castle Tiicatre in Norwood, N. Y., was destroyed by fire last Saturday. The house was owned by William Greig, who bought it about two months ago and was living in apartments above the theatre. The loss was about $10,000, with $5,000 insurance. Th(: Avon in Watertown, N. Y., ran an "old clothes matinee" this week in connection with the showing of "Oliver Twist." The contributions were many and were turned over to the Salvation Army. Each child who brought a bundle containing at least one article that could be worn, was admitted free. tip to the present time Albany exhibitors have had no diflieulty in obtaining sufficient coal to heat their houses. . Soft coal, however, is being used in all of the places, and according to some of the exhibitors who like to take a slam at the exchanges, the coal is worth more than some of the iilni. The Women's Club of Albany has just formed a new department, to be known as "Better Films," and will work for better photoplays. Mrs. Henry Streibert is chairman of this section. Members are being asked to make a report on at least one picture a year. Pictures costing huge sums and requii ing many months to make are frequently injured in their finer portions through hoodlums who apparently delight in laughing at just the wrong moment. This was apparent the other night, when "My Friend, the Devil" was being shown at the Leland. A stiff fine, or a few days behind the bars would help to convince such persons that hundreds of others in an audience, having paid their admission, are entitled to the full enjoyment of a picture. C. W. Reese, a theatre proprietor of Clayton. N. Y., was ill Utica this week, appear ing before Federal Judge Cooper in answer to an indictment charging him with falsifying returns in his theatre tax. Mr. Reese explained that the return had been made out in wrong form and without an intention of cheating the government. He was fined one dollar. Some of the best puhli<>ity ever seen in Ticondcroga is being turned out these days by Harry Pilkins, who runs ,t^e Ri:ilto in that village. Mr. Fllkins isn't a hit partial to any picture and is cashing in heavily through a little extra work and gray matter 4>ii his part. Charles Sesonske, of the Nova Operating Company, of Watertown, featured in an automobile smashup this week. While his car was badly smashed, Mr. Sesonske escaped injury. Milwaukee Fire which on December 6 destroyed the Eagles Clubhouse in the heart of the downtown district, temporarily tied up one picture house and one vaudeville theatre, almost a block away. At the Garden Theatre, Third street and Grand avenue, managed by Leo A. Landau, the water that rushed in through an abandoned tunnel reached -a depth in the basement of eight feet, according to Henry Taylor, house manager. All lights in the house were darkened when the switchboard was submerged and only through the combined efforts of firemen and theatre employes was the work of draining accomplished so as to allow the program for the day to start only several hours late. Scrub women at work in Ascher's Merrill Theatre, managed by Ralph Wettstein, upon being told what had taken place at the Garden, only a few doors away, dragged musical instruments and a valuable curtain from the low orchestra pit to higher ground in the lobby. This precaution proved unnecessary later when it developed that the tunnel did not connect with the Merrill. Probably the hardest hit of the buildings in the vicinity was the Majestic Theatre, Milwaukee's skyscraper and home of the junior Orpheum circuit. When the lights were dimmed in his theatre by the water rushing into the basement, Harry Billings, manager, resorted to torch and lanterns to keep his show running. Elevators in the building were put out of commission and tenants were obliged to walk the fourteen floors. .1 I'uinc iiunui.-if CUTOUTS OF LLOYD SOLD "DR. JACK" IN PORTLAND, OREG. The Majestic Theatre used three, two of which can be seen on the sidewalk while the third was perched over the box office. We think the sidewalk si^s would have worked better on the marquise, to supplement the electrics.