The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

Exhibitors' News and views EDITED BY SUMNER SMITH Split Impending in St. Louis Between Koplar and Skouras A split between Harry Koplar and Spyros Skouras is impending, and St. Louis filmdom is anxiously awaiting the outcome. In some quarters it is rumored that the St. Louis Amusement Company, controlled by the Skouras and Koplar interests, owners of some fourteen neighborhood houses throughout St. Louis, will be dissolved. It is possible that the courts will be called upon to bring this about. However, official confirmation is lacking, all parties showing a singular disinclination to talk about their affairs. But it is known that there has been friction in the company for almost a year, and that Koplar and Skouras merely discussed business matters that required such conference. The first big hitch came Rome time ago when Skouras nought to take over the Missouri Theatre, the Paramount first-run house, across the street from the Grand Central owned by Skouras. Koplar blocked that deal, refusing to waive a provision in the contract entered into at the time when the St. Louis Amusement Company was formed, Mhlch provided that neither party was to become interested in other theatres without the consent of the other party. A $50,000 bond was to be forfeited by either party violating that provision. Koplar Is said to have asked *25.O0O to set the clause aside so far as the Missouri Theatre deal was concerned. Skouras wouldn't pay that sum and the proposition was dropped. Now it is said that Koplar has objected to the manner in which the St. Louis Amusement Company is booking: its films, particularly demanding that "Rupert of Hentzau" was not booked for the circuit, and also "The Common Law." Gossip has it that Skouras Brothers sought those pictures for their first run houses, but the first runs went to William Goldman's Kings. In retaliation Skouras is said to have declined to book either picture for the St. Louis Amusement houses over the objection of Koplar. Whether this will be the break that leads to the dissolving of the arrangement between Skouras and Koplar remains to be seen. However, all St. Louis realizes that such a rupture will come sooner or later, and during the past few weeks there have been many rumors about possible new combinations in the local theatre ranks. Under the plan of organization three of the five directors represent Skouras and two Koplar, Skouras thus having control of the management of the theatres. It is said that all of the theatres have made money since the combination was arranged. For that reason it is believed that it would be difficult to bring receivership proceedings against the corporation on the charge of mismanagement. However, it is always possible to obtain a voluntary dissolution where all parties are willing. The St. Louis Amusement Company controls the Pershing, Pageant, North Grand, New Lindell, Maffitt, Grand-Florissant, Novelty, 'Shenandoah. Arsenal, Juniata, Arco. Manchester, Gravois. Lafayette and a half interest in the Shaw Theatre. In addition, Koplar and Sam Hamburg. Jr., own the Montgomery and Webster, while Skouras and his associates own the Grand Central, West End Lyric, Lyric and Capitol theatres Many of the theatres have airdomes attached, which are operated during the summer. The rates for dance halls and private dances has also been raised, the dance hall rate jumping from $7 to $9 for a three or four hour evening and 50 per cent, extra for the leader. Some dance hall proprietors are paying $12 to players and $1S to leaders nightly. The individual dance scale calls for not less than seven men who are paid $67.50 for four hours' work either 8 p. m. to midnight or 9 to 1 a. m. An extra hour would cost $22.50. Officials of the musicians' union have declined to discuss the recent advances. However, it Is believed that the shortage of capable players is responsible for the situation. The police of Memphis. Tenn., are endeavoring to enforce a blue law which prohibits the holding of a picture show on a Sunday, and on September S arrested the operators of eight picture theatres. All were released on bond, and have made plans to carry their cases to State Supreme Court to test the constitutionality of the atatute. Despite the arrests all theatres continued to give shows throughout the evening, the police not attempting to close the houses. Visitors of the week were: Leo -Keller and Lee Goldberg of Paducah, Ky.; Joe Hewitt, Robinson, 111.; C. E. Luttrell, Majestic Theatre, Jacksonville, 111.; Tom Reed Archie Josephson and Jack Roth have purchased the Twelfth Street Theatre from S'<ouras Brothers Enterprises, of St. Louis. The theatre was originally built and owned by Frank L. Newman, who has the Newman and Royal theatres here. One of the important changes in policy will be an entire change of program twice weekly. Jack Roth will be active manager of the theatre. The Twelfth Street is added to the present chain of theatres, including the Apollo, Victory, Dunbar, Penn Valley and Strand, all of Kansas City. Itulic Melcher, nh<i recently opened the Hell Theatre, suburban house of Kansas ( Ity, hMm been routined to his home for two weeks. It is expected that Dr. Mel Cher be able to assume management of the theatre in a short time, as his condition is rnpi il I > improving. Ensley Barbour of Tulsa, Okla., and owner of a large string of theatres, was in Ask your projectionist if he is using the new Griffin Lens Chart. If he is burning carbons this chart will enable him to secure the very best screen results with the equipment he is using. See page 365. of Duquoin; Jim Reilly, Princess Theatre, Alton 111.; William Shuckert, Opera House. Chester. 111.; and Charles Barber of Tllden. 111. •Speculation as to new line-ups In the theatres is always going on. It is whispered in informed circles that should Koplar break with Skouras he will form a new combination with William Goldman, who owns the Kings and Queens and plans to erect a new first-run theatre adjoining the Grand Central to become the first-run house for Goldwyn-Co8mopolitan productions. Music will cost the St. Louis picture houses and other theatres substantially more this season than last. New contracts that are just taking effect call for wages of from $3 to $5 a week more than last year, but there is a scarcity of good players and some of the theatres are paying $5 to $10 a week above the scale to get the men they want. In the larger houses the leaders get $110 a week while the players are paid from $65 to $75 a week each. In the smaller houses the wages are proportionately high. The contracts will expire in August, 1924. The Shubert-Jefterson and American theatres, with six or seven performances a week and one or two matinees, pay $45 this year compared with $42 last season. The Orpheum vaudeville house with two shows a day is paying $60 against $56 last year, while the Gayety, burlesque with two shows dally, was raised from $52 to $56. The rates for the larger picture houses are from $35 to $42 a week, with afternoon shows figured on the basis of $1 an hour extra. On this basis the musicians are paid from $66 to $75 a week, while the leaders get from $100 to $110. town last week making the rounds of the exchanges. The Liberty Theatre, located at Cherryvale, Kas., has been taken over by N. W. Houston. Jay Means, who has the Prospect and Murray Theatre in Kansas City, recently returned from a motor trip to the western coast. C. W. Hunt has sold the Rex Theatre at Higginsville, Mo., to R. R. Gladdish. Out-of-town exhibitors in Kansas City recently have been: Bert Byler, Clinton, Mo.; W. D. Burford, Arkansas City, Kas.; Ben Hill. City Hall Theatre, Beltno, Mo.; W. H. Weber, Echo Theatre. Great Bend, Kas.; T. H. Clark. Electric Theatre. Maryville, Mo.; A. L. Behra, Baxter Springs, Kas.; Oscar Reinert. Elite Theatre, Humbolt, Kas.; Hooper and Jencks. Isis and Orpheum theatres, Topeka, Kas.. and Mark Havenhill, Electric Theatre, Burns. Kas. Doctor — "I'm afraid I will have to operate tor appendicitis." Little heuuty — "Oh, doctor, will the 6car show :" Doctor — "Not unless you go into the movies!" — Loew's Weekly. S. S. Teacher — "Where do little boys and gins go who don't put their pennies in the collection box?" Pupil — "Please. M'm, to the picture shows." —Chicago Herald and Examiner. Josephson and Roth Purchase Skouras' Kansas City House