The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

854 M O'V I N G PICTURE WORLD December 30, 1922 San Francisco's Film Men Off to Quiet Wild Ducks C. C. Kaufmann, of the Gem Theatre, Colusa, Cal., was a recent visitor on San Francisco's Film Row, and as a result of his report that wild ducks are so numerous that they disturb the peace of the community, several film exchange managers and salesmen have found that their presence is urgently required in the Sacramento Valley territory. Mr. Kaufmann has purchased the equipment of the Lyric Theatre at San Rafael. Ed. Stark, of the Opal Theatre, Hollister, was a visitor in San Francisco early in December. He remarked that while the name of this house might seem an odd one, it was, nevertheless an asset, having been used for many years. W. H. Poole, an exhibitor of Klamath Falls, Ore., was a recent visitor at San Francisco, arranging bookings for 1923. A fire occurred recently in his projection room, but the loan of a machine was secured and shows were presented with but little interruption. A surprise party iras tendered Ellis Arknsh on the evening of Deoeniber 11 by the management of hin nurlingame Theatre, thirtyfive employes from the four honses in which he is interested lieing present. He has theatres at Palo Alto, Redwood City, Bnrlingame and San Mateo. The .surprise dinner was held jast before his departure on an eastern trip for the holidays. C. A. Sweeney, who has theatres at Boulder Creek and Brookdale. Cal., was a recent visitor at San Francisco and announced that he had closed his houses for two months, owing to the rainy weather. F. N. Nishioka, owner of the Ryan Theatre, Fresno, Cal., sailed recently for Japan on a visit. Francis Egan, who recently purchased the Liberty Theatre at Lemoore, Cal., has since had the misfortune to lose his home by fire. The Glade Theatre at Lindsay, Cal., is being remodeled under the direction of Arthur Wob ber. The Hayward Theatre, Hayward, Cal., is being enlarged and a gallery added. Shows are being presented in a temporary location while the work is under way. J. J. McNamara, who was bulldlni; a large picture theatre at Martinez, Cal., passed away recenfl.'t. He ^vas a neweiMiier in the amusement business, but was well known in Martinez. L. R. Crook, for many years with the Turner & Dahnken Circuit and later with the T. & D. Jr., Circuit, has organized the National Theatre Syndicate and has opened offices in the Loew Theatre Building, San Francisco. He has since sailed for Honolulu on a business mission. M. L. Markowitz, head of the New York and San Francisco Amusement Co., which operates the Strand Theatre, San Francisco, has decided to install a musical comedy company commencing December 23, but will continue to make use of moving pictures. Pantages Theatre. Oaklrnd, Cal.. has added feature pictures to the regular vaudeville show, the first offering being "Glass of Fashion," featuring Irene Castle. The Balboa Theatre in Westwood Park, San Francisco's famous scenic residential district, will be formally opened on December 23. The house is owned by Samuel H. Levin, former owner of the Haight and Coliseum theatres. J. G. Von Herberg, trustee of the First National Film Co.. was a visitor at San Francisco from Seattle, early in December. Alex. Salomon is promoting a project for the erection of a 1,300-seat theatre at Lodi, Cal. The Golden Gate Productions, Inc., has entered the moving picture producing field at San Francisco and has opened offices in the Chronicle Building. The officers are: L. S. Jennings, president : E. M. Levin, vice-president, and Mark E. Levy, secretary-treasurer. J. L. Dewey is production manager and Walter Law is si'pLTvising director. Eureka, Kas., was another visitor this week. Mr. Wagner was doing his Christmas shopping early. E. L. Balfour, who has the Orpheum Theatre at Springfield, Mo., was also a caller. C. E. Cook, manager of the M. P. T. O. of Kansas; Clair M. Patee, Patee Theatre, Lawrence, Kas.; A. F. Baker, Electric Theatre, R. G. Liggett, Gauntier Theatre, and M. Van Praag, Art Theatre, all of Kansas City, Kas., made a trip to Chicago last week. It was purely a business trip, but they did find time to visit some of the larger picture theatres in Chicago. Recent local visitors were : S. A. Davidson, who has the Princess Theatre, Neodesha, Kas. ; Edward Boylston, of the Victorian Theatre, Hiawatha, Kas.; A. Baber, of Edgerton, Mo.; Pete Evans, of the Liberty Theatre, Cherryvale, Kas.; John Courter, who owns the Courier Theatre, Gallatin, Mo., and Clair M. Patee, of the Patee Theatre, Lawrence, Kas. North Carolina The grim monster, influenza, which stalked throughout the land with such disastrous results in 1918, is again prevalent in many cities of North Carolina. Statesville and High Point, it is reported, have been closed for some days, all theatres, places of amusement, etc., being forbidden to open. In many other cities, including Wilmington and Charlotte, it is prevalent but has not become widespread to such an extent that authorities have deemed it necessary to take such stringent measures. The large Academy Theatre, Charlotte, was burned to the ground early Sunday morning, December 17. The entire building was a total loss, even the walls crumbling into the street in a fire that for hours threatened a big portion of the downtown business section. It is in the same block with the Imperial, Broadway and Ideal, neither of which, however, was damaged. The Academy was the largest theatre in Charlotte, under lease to Southern Enterprises, Inc., and was playing a combination program. Announcement as to whether or not it will be rebuilt could not be obtained this week. Charlotte entertained many of the Carolina exhibitors during the past week, the occasion being the annual ceremonial of Oasis Temple of the Mystic Shrine, many licw candidates crossing the burning sands. L". T. Rice, of the Piedmont Amusement Conipanv, Winston-Salem and Marsh Morrow, of the White Way, Dun, N. C, were among the number. A large majority of the exhibitors of North Carolina are Shriners, and Brother E. F. Dardine, who was chairman of the entertainment committee, of course, looked out for the comfort of his brother exhibitors. Dardine has the record of having been on nearly every entertainment committee ever named in Charlotte. H. H. Anderson, who formerly owned a chain of seven theatres in the two Carolinas, has moved his residence from Hamlet to Charlotte, and it is rumored will at an early date announce the acquisition of another theatre circuit. H. B. Varner, of Lexington, secretary of the North Carolina M. P. T. O., was in Charlotte the past week on business in connection with the mid-winter convention. "Our organization has a larger membership right now than ever before," declared Mr. Varner. J. E. Simpson, of Gastonia, was a caller on Charlotte's Film Row the past week Circle in Kansas City Has Narrow Escape from Panic The Circle Theatre, a Kansas City suburban house, was threatened by fire Tuesday night, December 12. Shortly after the second evening show had started, fire was discovered on the stairway leading to the basement in the front part of the theatre. D. J. Steel, manager, instructed ushers to open side and rear exits and then walking to the center of the stage he announced that the show would have to stop. He also requested the patrons to use the open exits in leavine the theatre. The audience was calm in leaving the theatre and many <lid not know that the building was on fire until they reached the street. No one was injured. The fire started when flames from an oil-l>nming fnrnace set fire to a pile of paper.s. Very little smoke entered the auditorium, lint considerable damage was done to an adjacent drag store and two suites of rooms on the second floor. W. L. McDowell recently sold the Bancroft Theatre, a suburban house of Kansas City, to L. A. Wallace. J. E. Albright, who owns the Community Theatre at Holt, Mo., was a visitor at some of the film exchanges the early part of this week. Qiarlcy Sears, Lee Jones and Tom A. Wasgein of the .Sears and Jones Circuit, were also in town doing some Christmas film shopping. Robert Rhoades has leased the Gillham Theatre. Kansas City suburban house, to the Gillham Amnsrment Co. Mr. Rhoades has been with the Gillham for nine years and it is rumored that he intends going to California for a long rest. Judd and Rardin of the Orpheus Theatre at Excelsior Springs. Mo., were in town. C. W. Hunt of the Rex Theatre at Higginsville. Mo., was another exhibitor who dropped in. The future of the Doric Theatre, which was damaged to the extent of »«O.0OO in a large explosion two weeks ago. Is still uncertain. Sam Harding, who has the lease on the theatre, which Is a downtown house, has not decided whether or not he will repair the building for theatre purposes. The theatre has been closed all season, but was sublet a week before the explosion. L. A. Wagner of the Princess Theatre at