The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

650 MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 23, 1924 Mark Strand, Albany, Pays Tribute to Woodrow Wilson The Mark Strand Theatre, Albany, N. Y., paid a particularly fine tribute to the late President Wilson during the hour of the burial service on February 6. When Uly S. Hill, general manager of the Mark Strand and the Troy theatres, received a telegram from Walter Hays of Buffalo, one of the owners of the two houses, that some observance should be made befitting the solemn occasion, Mr. Hill conferred with his resident managers, Herman Vineberg of_ the Mark Strand and Walter Roberts of ' the Troy. As a result, both houses followed much the same plan of procedure. At 3:30 o'clock the members of the orchestra and the ushers stood at attention. Gradually the interior of the theatres became brighter and brighter, the passing of the late war President being symbolized by the slowly gathering of the heavy velvet curtains. At the Mark Strand, Floyd Walters, the organist, rendered Wilson's favorite hymn. Exhibitors throughout central New York will be interested in the result of the recent election of the Albany Film Board of Trade, In which Robert S. Bendell, manager for Selznick in this vicinity, succeeded Frank S. Hopkins, who recently resigned the presidency. Frank V. Bruner was re-elected vicepresident. G. A. Woodward succeeded M. W. Kempner on the Board of Directors, the latter having been transferred to Buffalo. After Manager Oscar Perrln of the Leland and Clinton Square theatres, Albany, counted over his box-office receipts for six days while Scenes from "The Halfback of Notre Dame," a two-reel Mack Sennett comedy for Pathe release. "If Winter Comes" played at the Leland, he lost no time in booking it for the week of March 3 at the Clinton Square. The crowds at the Lincoln in Troy became so large last Sunday night that Harry Symansky, the 23-year-old . manager of the house, fearing that they might become unmanageable, summoned members of the city's fire department. Mr. Symansky was playing "The Humming Bird." It isn't often that William Kennedy, who hails from Champlain, N. Y., hits Film Row. But Mr. Kennedy did take a day oft* last week, leaving his duties as exhibitor, customs official, expressman and a few others to his associates. It appears that there was a recent blaze in Mr. Kennedy's theatre which fortunately, however, got no further than the several reels that were destroyed. Admission prices have been jumped at the Griswold in Troy. Twenty cents a person will now prevail instead of fifteen. The house shows double features and Is owned by the Proctor interests. It is being run by Jacob Golden, a former newspaperman. The announcement that "Cliff" Lewis has been mnde manager of the Strand Theatre In Schenectady w ill come as a pleasant xurprise to his many friends both in this state and Indiana. Sir. Lewis was born in Anderson, Inil.. and started in gaining his picture theatre experience by taking tickets at one of the houses in Anderson, receiving the munificent sum of $3 a week. Mr. Linis later became assistant to the managing director of the Victory Theatre Company. Following several months In the nut >, he next located in Danville, III., acting as resilient malinger of a house there. From the Illinois town Mr. Lewis went with Famous IMnyera In Its Indianapolis office, being transferred to Albany, and more recently acting as exploitation and advertising man for the Farash Theatre Corporation of Schenectady. Mr. Lewis is extremely clever with the brush and his work filling such lines at the Strand lias attracted much attention in the Electric City. Nate Robbins of Utica was in Watertown the past week going over matters with his resident manager, Dr. Victor Wilson. "Pioneer Trails," playing on February 1 and 2 at the Endwell in Johnson City, established a new record for that house, according to its owner, William H. Mack. William Shirley, managing director of three theatres in Schenectady, plans to Increase his admission prices during the coming showing of "Scaramouche." The house at which the>picture will be shown ordinarily charges 40 and 50 cents admission. This will be increased to 50 and 75 cents. After many months the street car strike in Schenectady has at last been officially declared off, but not before It had cost the picture theatres of that city thousands of dollars in lost patronage. The strike started last May and for months the residents of Schenectady absolutely refused to patronize the cars. As a result, practically all of the downtown houses suffered a decided slump in attendance, the neighborhood houses showing some gnin. When Phil Markell, a well-known Massachusetts exhibitor, left Albany's Film Row one day last week, after booking heavily at many of the exchanges, he remarked that "they had taken everything" but his overcoat. Samuel Suckno, owner of four theatres In Albany, is spending a few days at Lakewood, N. J., recuperating from his recent illness. Mr. and Mrs. William Farley are spending a few days in Atlantic City. Mr. Farley is president and treasurer of the Farash Theatre Corporation, operating three houses In Schenectady. Buffalo, N. Y. The Strand Security Company, in which Walter Hays, Moe Mark, Eugene Falk and others are interested, has sold the building housing the old Criterion Theatre at Pearl and Mohawk streets to a company of Buffalo business men, who will raze the structure and build a modern business block on the site. The property sold for $750,000. The Criterion was formerly the old Star Theatre, the leading theatrical rendezvous of old Buffalo. Of recent years several companies have tried to operate the house on a paying basis but have failed. The Criterion has been closed for several months. The New Unity Theatre, Grant street and Military road, will be ready for the entertainment of the public on February 29, which date J. D. Parmalee has selected because he says Friday is his lucky day. The new house Is on the site of the old Tri-It Theatre. Joseph A. Schuchert has Installed a new $11.04)0 pipe organ In the Colonlnl Theatre In • .cncscc street. Mr. Schuchert Is publishing an attractive house organ for the Colonial and Columbia, entitled "Silver Sheet Topics." He also is trying to promote a dramatic company from his patrons to give dramatic playlets at each house aa a novelty. Al W. Root, former manager of the Palace and Haven theatres In Olean, N. Y., stopped off in Buffalo last week to visit friends along Film Row. He Is on his way to Des Moines. Iowa, to take over some picture houses there. Charles H. Thomas has secured an option on property adjoining the National Bank building in Bath, N. Y., on which he proposes to erect a modern picture theatre, providing he can interest local capital. The property is owned by Associated Theatres, Inc., of East Rochester. Charlie Hayman and Mrs. Hayman of the Strand and Cataract. Niagara Falls, have sailed for a Mediterranean tour which will last three months. During Mr. Hayman's absence George H. MacKenna is In charge of both houses. The Glove City Amusement Company of Gloversville, N. Y., has leased the PrlnceBS and Regent theatres in Corning, N. Y., from G. H. Tobias and have taken possession. The company is a unit of the J. Meyer Schlne chain. Rochester, N. Y. Transfer of the properties at 73-95 Main street west, including Fay's Theatre, from the National Hotel Company to A. A. Fenyvessy, has been completed. The purchase price, according to Mr. Fenyvessy, is $225,000. Extensive alterations in the building to the west of Fay's Theatre are planned, but the theatre property will remain unchanged. The lease on the theatre, which expires soon, will be renewed for a long term by Edward M. Fay of Providence, who has been running the theatre for several years. Opposition against provisions of the new building code was voiced by theatre managers at the hearing before the State Industrial Board In the Nelbach building. An appeal will be made to the attorney general and the State Legislature asking that Rochester be made exempt from the provisions of the code. The Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Hlckey, bishop of the Rochester Catholic diocese, has Issued a statement offering opposition to the proposed repeal of the state motion picture law. T. N. T. Filmdom's Playdate, March 29