The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

Exhibitors' News and views EDITED BY SUMNER SMITH Albany Women's Eyes Open for Objectionable Posters Buffalo Exhibitors of Albany, N. Y., will be obliged to carefully inspect the posters they are using in advertising pictures booked, for the women of the Capital City have started a campaign against posters which have a tendency toward the objectionable. Just who are to pass upon the posters as they might appear on the billboards of the city isn't quite clear. The campaign was launched a few days ago at a meeting of the Federation of Women's Clubs. It is not believed that the exhibitors of the city will be censored for objectionable posters, the campaign apparently being directed against lurid bills advertising burlesque attractions. But nevertheless the exhibitors are not going to take any chances, and if any posters are included with their pictures, which might tend in the least to offend the women, they will be discarded. At the age of 23, Ednnrd Hochstini is running the Star in Hudson, V Y., and makingit pay. He ranks as one of the youngest managers In the state. The house seats 373, the admission prices being 10 and 20 in the afternoon, and 15 and 25 cents at night. Nathan Robbins of Utica and Harris Lumberg of Niagara Falls are negotiating with John F. McDonald, of the latter city, for a long term lease of the old International Hotel site in Niagara Falls, for the erection of a 3,000-seat theatre. Bob Landry of Ogdensberg, in town during the past week and booking many pictures for his various houses, is said to be on the lookout for another theatre in northern New York. The name of "The Empress" has been chosen for the new theatre in Norfolk, N. Y. Phil Markell, who runs the Atlas in Adams, Mass., and his cousin, George Markell, owning the Strand in Pittsfleld, Mass., arrived along Film Row this past week and signed their names to many a contract. They reported business as good in the majority of Massachusetts towns. Without any great ostentation. Miss Janet IVoon, owner of the Crescent Theatre In Schenectady, is drawing the crowds these days, charging a 10 cents admission and packing the honse every night. Miss Noon does not leave matters to her employes but Is on the Job herself, greeting patrons with a smile and a word. In discussing business conditions the other night, Miss Noon, glancing over the house with every seat occupied, said that she had no reason for complaining. She has been handling the Crescent for eight years. Her show runs from eight to ten reels, although another 10-cent competing house is rather overdoing matters by giving from eighteen to twenty reels to a show. W. W. Farley, head of the Farash Theatre Corporation, of Schenectady, was in New York City the past week. At the Strand Theatre, Carthage, N. Y., "The Midnight Alarm" will be shown on January 23 and 24 for the benefit of the village fire department, a volunteer organization. ' "Black Oxen" drew eictremely well at the Mark Strand Theatre in Albany last week, it being necessary on several nights to stop the sale of tickets before the second show. house, the Rialto, a few days ago, is doing the booking for the house for a week or so. William Shirley, managing-director of the State and Strand theatres in Schenectady, is sporting a beautiful pair of gold and diamond cuff links given him as a New Year's gift by the house employes. The Market Theatre Company, of which Jacob Rosing is the head, will break ground in September, 1924, for a ; new 2,000-seat neighborhood house at Broadway and Fillmore avenue. Henry L. Spann has prepared plans for the house, the building of which has been held up because of unfavorable conditions. Instead of improving the industrial conditions in Amsterdam. N. Y., became worse during the past week when hundreds of employes in textile mills walked out following a cut in wages. Picture theatres of the, city suffered in consequence. With turkey and all the fixin's, there was a big time in Troy last Wednesday night when Ben Apple and his crowd of bowlers paid for the dinner that was tendered the team from the Troy Theatre. Th& affair did not get under way until about 11.30 o'clock at night and lasted into the wee hours, but those who attended declared that it was worth while. It is reported that the Robbins Amusement Company, which controls a chain of houses throughout the state, is negotiating for the lease, of the International Hotel property in Niagara Falls on which to build a 3,000-seat theatre with a 40-foot stage. Harris Lumberg of Niagara Falls also is said to be interested in the deal. Local exhibitors, however, doubt the authenticity of the report, declaring the city is already much overseated. Al Gilmour, former manager of the Star Theatre, has succeeded C. R. Higgins as manager of the Columbia Theatre, the Genesee street theatre owned by Joseph A. Schuchert. In order to take care of the expected crowds during a week's run of "Temple of Venus" at the Barcli in Schenectady, Manager Frank Breymaier has arranged to also show the picture at the Van Curler Theatre, a block or so distant, on Sunday night, the Van Curler Theatre being dark that night and going over to burlesque for the first three days each week. Sid Allen of the Allen Theatre, Medina, N. Y., held his semi-annual party for the children of the 38 district schoools in his community last Friday when he showed them Jackie Coogan in "Circus Days," and other films, and sent them all home with all-day suckers of a size to last at least a week. Sid and his better-half leave January 19 for a three-week stay at Ann Arbor, Mich., Mr. ^illen's boyhood home. R. V. Erk of Ilion paid 2 nectady the past week for since December. visit to Schethe first time It is reported that Rochester capital will build a new theatre at East Church and South Main street in Fairport, N. Y., on the site of the Holmes property. The house, it is said, will seat 1,600. Harmanus-Bleecker Hall in Albany, which recently went over to pictures three days a week, and which is the largest house in the entire city, is drawing heavily these days at 20 cents despite the fact that it is many blocks removed from the business center. Vincent R. McFaul has booked "Scaramouche" and "The White Sister," for presentation in Shea's Hippodrome, the former opening the week of February 12. Regular prices will prevail. British Columbia Reduces Theatre Admission Impost A general reduction in the Amusement Tax on tickets of admission to all theatres in the Province of British Columbia has been announced by the Provincial Government of British Columbia. The new legislation provides for a cut of 30 per cent, in the tax. For several years the Government assessment on tickets has been 10 per cent, on the gross amount. Action was taken as a result of continued protests on the part of exhibitors that the impost was too high and that it was having an adverse effect upon the theatre business. years. Mr. Brewerton was formerly a resident of Raymond, Alberta. The Rex is the finest theatre among the smaller centres of Alberta. P. J. Nolan, proprietor of the Rex Theatre, Ottawa, was re-elected alderman in the City Council of Ottawa on January 7 for the ensuing year, representing Victoria Ward. Aid. Nolan has been a member of the Ottawa City Council for several years. Joe Franklin, proprietor of the Franklin Theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, has been securing distinguished patronage for his theatre, which w.-is the Family Theatre until he took it over last September. Mr. Kranklin sent special tickets to leading citizens of the Canadian Capital, and among I hose who accepted them were His Excellency, Lord Byng of Vimy, Governor-General of Canada, nnd lit. Hon. W. L. M. King, the Prime Minister of Canada. The Centre Theatre, Ottawa, owned by Ben Stapleton, pioneer exhibitor of the Canadian Capital and now managed by his son, Don Stapleton, has permanently adopted the Saturday opening plan for weekly changes in programs, the_ week's pictures now starting on Saturday in place of Monday. The Regent, Ottawa, also opens its film week on Saturday. Abe Stone of Schenectady, who sold his H. B. Brewerton has purchased the Rex Theatre and equipment at Red Deer, Alberta, from N. White and W. E. Lord, who had operated the theatre successfully for some Manager O. D. Cloakey of the Regent Theatre, Ottawa, announced a formidable list of coming features at this theatre on January 12 as follows: "The Master of Man," "Scaramouche," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Flaming Barriers," "The Humming Bird," "West of the Water Tower," "A Woman of Paris," "Chu Chin Chow," "The Palace of Kings" and "I Will Repay."