The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

332 MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 22. 1923 Buffalo Showmen Now Have Two Boards of Arbitration owner of the Strand and Cataract, who was one of the first citizens of the Cataract City to buy his reserved seat for the Dempsey-Firpo battle in New York. In accordance with instructions of the board of directors, President Howard J. Smith of the Western New York Motion Picture Theatres, Inc., has appointed a reference committee of three exhibitors to hear all disputes over film contracts. The members are George Keating, manager of the Jubilee, Buffalo; Sid Allen of the Allen, Medina, and Mike Carr of the Lyndhurst, Rochester. This organization of exhibitors does not work with the Buffalo Film Board of trade arbitration committee, the work of which they do not approve. Therefore they are using their own reference committee, as they call it, to act as a go-between. This committee has no power to do more than recommend a settlement. Club rooms are being fitted up at 327 Main street, (the Palace Theatre). Buffalo, for the use of members and a call is soon to be sent out for the first meeting in the new rooms. Prominent New York financial men are reported to have offered to purchase from Hiram Mintz, the owner, the old Binghamton clubhouse at Chenango and Henry streets in Binghamton, N. Y. The prospective buyers are said to be considering the erection of a picture theatre at an estimated cost of $500,000. It is further reported that a new motion picture corporation, with Mr. Mintz and other Binghamtonians as members, is in prospect for the near future. Mr. Mintz did not deny that plans for the new building have been prepared in New York City and are in his possession. They are said to call for the erection of a most modern structure that would require the entire plot of about 167 feet on Chenango street front and about 170 feet on Henry street. The auditorium contemplated is said to be in the 2,000 capacity class. Construction of the theatre is set for May 1, by which time it is hoped that the new clubhouse for the Binghamton club will be completed. Jamestown. N. Y., theatre managers have reached an agreement on salary demands put forward by the local musicians' union. The managers offered an Increase and the musicians have decided to accept it. Stage hands, however, are not working because the managers refused to sign the union contract for an increase in pay, and there is likely to be no vaudeville in Jamestown this season. A panic was narrowly averted one night last week in the Gowanda, N. Y., Opera House by Manager John W. Schatt. More than 1000 persons were in the house when tire started in the rear of a hardware store Oh, Lady Luck! Here's a good one on Walter Roberts, manager of the Troy Theatre in Troy, N. Y-, and his assistant, Bennie Stern. And what's more, it's the truth. It seems that there is a colored porter at the Troy known as "Zeb." The other day, when Mr. Roberts went to New York, he hatched up a little joke with Bennie Stern, with the result that there was a mysterious telegram containing certain numerals, received at the Troy Theatre the following day. In a mysttrious manner Mr. Stern called Zeb to the office and advised him to play the combination. And right here is where the joke no longer becamW a joke, for either Mr. Roberts or M|r. Stern, for the 50 cents which Zeb "ilovested" netted him exactly $100. near the picture theatre. The arrival of the firemen and the excitement in the street caused alarm among the patrons. Judge Schatt halted the performance and directed the exit of the audience. His coolness averted all disorder. And in Buffalo last Saturday night the following: Alarmed by the ringing of a bell supposed to be a fire bell, the audience in the big Lafayette Square Theatre made a dash for the exits. Ushers were unable to cope with the crush and the jam at the exits nearly crushed some of the more excited folk. Cries of "Sit down!" and "Take your time!" seemed only to add to the terror. Arthur J. Martel pumped the organ "on high" but order was not restored until Manager Fred M. Shafer assured the audience that there was no fire or anything to be panicky over. C. S. Burg, general manager of the Miles Company of Cleveland, is in Auburn, N. Y.. preparing for the opening of the Burtls Grand Theatre, formerly leased by C. S. Burnham of Cortland, N. Y. Negotiations by the Schine company for the Universal Theatre in Auburn have fallen through. Mr. Shea has discontinued showing pictures at his Court street vaudeville house on Sunday and is putting on a straight vaudeville show afternoon and evening. Heretofore there has been a picture-vaudeville performance running continuously. Al Becker of the Becker Theatre Supply company of Buffalo installed two new Simplex machines in the National Theatre, Niagara Falls, N. Y. Incorporation papers have been filed in county court. Buffalo, by the System Amusement Company with a capital of $15,000. The directors are J. Adam Weiss, Melvin Greene and Benjamin Isenberg. This Is the company which has leased the System Theatre in Syracuse, formerly operated by Earl L. Crabb. Fred Ullman. owner of the Buffalo Elmwood, is head of the company. At its meeting September 7 the Warsaw, KT. Y., village board rented the Farman Theatre to the Citizens' Committee, which has run it for a number of years. The rental will be $1,000 a year instead of $500 which the old contract calls for. The proposition of turning the theatre over to a picture corporation at a rental of $2,400 was turned down. Robert W. Brown the Strand, Niagara pointed director of Strand orchestra, wh is presiding at the formerly played by now at the new Statl aging Director A. C some of the biggest showing this season theatre. , formerly pianist at Falls, has been ap the newly organized ile Mrs. Emily Karnes console of the organ George A. Bouchard. er hotel, Buffalo. ManHayman has booked pictures available for in his handsome new "The Covered Wagon" will open in Buffalo the week of September 16 in the Majestic Theatre, a legitimate house, at $1.50 top. Later in the season the production will be shown at popular prices In Shea's Hippodrome. Niagara Falls has one sport fan who never misses anything. He's Charlie Hayman, Cool weather has set in and Buffalo picture houses are enjoying big business. The Lafayette Square, Loew's State and Shea's Hippodrome have been jamming them In since Labor Day and from present indications the season just opening is going to be a humdinger, as the exhibitor in Mud Hollow confided to a local film peddler. Music Strike or Settlement Hangs on Rochester Meeting Whether there will be a strike of musicians in the theatres of Rochester, N. Y., depends upon the result of a meeting between union officials and officers of the theatres, to take place in a few days. A Lyceum, Regent, Piccadilly and Family compromise settlement has been reached between the musicians and practically all of the major houses of the city, with the four exceptions noted above, it is stated by Jerome Koesterer, head of the musicians' union. These houses include the Eastman, Temple, Fay's, Gayety, Victoria and several of the smaller houses. By the agreement, according to Mr. Koesterer, the music makers in these houses receive a flat increase of $5 a week over the minimum scale for a six-day week, with extra pay for Sunday work. The musicians, he said, had asked for a flat increase of $10. Several meetings were held by the musicians during the oast week and it is understood that many were in favor of going out on strike because their demands were not met unconditionally. Only the warning of national union officials that the union here would be outlawed if its members went on strike prevented the issue from being pushed to a vote, he said. Mr. Koesterer said that he expected to reach an amicable settlement with the remaining houses. More than 700 musicians belong to the Rochester local. Approximately 15<) work in the picture theatres. Frank M, Smith, former publicity director for the Corinthian Theatre, has left town to do advance work for the George M. Cohan offices. William A. Calihan of the Regent was chairman of the Floral Parade arrangement committee at the Rochester exhibition. Bill has a wonderful eye for beauty. The Temple Theatre will re-open September 14 under the management of John H. Finn. C. Meiu-ham. manager of the Grand Theatre, put on a good ntunt when he showed "Safety Last." He dent balloons Into the air advertising the ahawiBg. To thoae who found a balloon he gave pa»»e» to the Grand. Ill the kids In the neighborhood were out hunting 'em. From indications toward the end of the run, i.t looks like "Why Worry?" is going to have the honor of hanging up a new attendance record at the Eastman Theatre, where it attracted tremendous crowds all during anniversary week. Manager William Fait, Jr., has booked "Main Street" for presentation at the Eastman Theatre the week of September 23. It will be given an elaborate musical setting. "Dulcy" is the attraction this week. Ask your projectionist if he is using the new Griffith 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.