Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

1724 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 9, 1916 Sidney Lust Buys New Film Corp. Washington, D. C, Film Man Makes Deal Whereby He Gets Excellent Distributing Facilities in South — An Interview on Aspects of Present and Future Business — A Brilliant Record. By Clarence L. Linz, 635 Tenth St., N. E.. Washington. D. C. position he was made manager to succeed Lieut. Jim P. Anderson, who had accepted a similar position with the Fox Film Cor interests, demands so much of his time as to make it impossible for him to give proper attention to the motion picture business. WASHINGTON, D. C. — An announcement of no little importance in the film business of the south comes from Sidney B. Lust, who operates the United Film Service, at 903 E street, northwest, for he has just informed the Washington correspondent of THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD of the consummation of a deal whereby he becomes the proprietor also of the business of the New Film Corporation, located at 146 Marietta street, Atlanta, Ga. The new office will serve exhibitors in a territory comprising Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma, and merged with the Washington office, these are added to Maryland, Virginia Delaware, North and South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. This gives Mr. Lust a very large field in which to carry on his business, for he can now swing to any point in the south and is basing Sidney B. Lust. nis future activities upon his new acquisition. Pins Faith Solely to Big Features. The policy of the business is to undergo a very radical change, although this is to be brought about gradually, as may be seen from the following interview. "I have come to the conclusion," said Mr. Lust, when asked about his venture, "that in the course of time the film business will be based entirely upon the big features and the best features obtainable, and, seeing the handwriting upon the wall, I am going in very largely for these. I realize that the house that can show these is the one that will make the money. Such a house usually has every advantage, beginning with seating capacity and including lighting effects, ventilation, orchestral music, and all of the other 'ingredients' that assure comfort and amusement. Thus it is the day of the large house and naturally of the big features which they must run. "This is futher evidenced," continued Mr. Lust, "by the fact that the five-cent house is gradually becoming a thing of the past; the small stuff does not bring in the box office receipts, and all of the things I have mentioned mean a great money outlay. "It is on this basis that I am shaping my future campaign. I feel positive that within a year or two there will be but a very limited market for small pictures. There will, of course, be a demand for educational films, for scenics and comedies to fill in, but it will be the big stuff for long runs. 'The Birth of a Nation' played to record audiences for six weeks; •The Battle Cry of Peace' had a long run and made money for the exhibitors who booked it, and now 'Civilization,' I understand, is booked Indefinitely. Following out this fact, I have just secured States rights on 'Purity' for Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and have made a number of bookings thereon. I am going to follow this up with other surprises and will have a further announcement to make shortly." A Record One May Be Proud of. Mr. Lust Is rated as one of the livewire exchangemen of this section. In the game but three years, he has made a record that one may be proud of. He started in with Warner's Features in 1913 as a roadman and after six weks In that poration and is now the special Australian representative of that company. After being with the concern for about two years he purchased the Washington interests from the receivers of the company which then controlled them. Later he bought the business of the Famous Players' Exchange, merging the two, and from time to time he has added features, comedies, Chaplin reels, etc. He has offices in Baltimore, Md. ; Charlotte, N. C, and in "West Virginia, and the end is not yet. Despite the fact that he has just passed his thirty-first milestone, Mr. Lust is closely approaching the right to assume the title of film magnate. He is a hard worker, energetic, and is makingfriends all along the line; why shouldn't he be a success? Earl W. Holt, who has been managing the Atlanta office for the New Film Corporation, resigns his position upon the taking over of the office by Mr. Lust. He is to be succeeded by one of the men now in the latter's employ. It is understood also that several new traveling representatives will be secured to work the southernmost states. Strand Books "Civilization." Washington, D. C. — "Tom" Moore is making arrangements for the exhibition of "Civilization" at his Strand. He plans to have special stage settings and the orchestra of eight pieces will be enlarged to eighteen pieces. In addition to the special scenic features there will be a prologue carrying out the ideas of the picture. The girl ushers will wear costumes fashioned upon those worn by the players in the photoplay. In fact, when the doors open on October 1 for an indefinite run of this film, the Strand will present a very attractive and unique appearance. Harry Crandall Raises Prices. Washington, D. C. — Harry Crandall has announced to his patrons that beginning with September 1 the general admission to his theater at Ninth and E streets will be fifteen cents at all evening shows, commencing with the 6.45 show, while ten cents will be continued as the afternoon charge. There is a tendency all along the line to increase the prices of admission and with Mr. Crandall charging fifteen cents for the evening shows there will follow a number of uptown houses which will demand ten cents where heretofore they have been satisfied with five cents. George B. Hunt Back. Washington, D. C. — George B. Hunt, assistant to Manager Arthur Robb at the Garden theater, is back on the job, having been honorably discharged by reason of the expiration of his enlistment from the National Guard of the District of Columbia. Mr. Hunt, since the mobilization of the citizen soldiers some few weeks ago, has been stationed at Camp Ordway, Va. A. Brylawski Will Manage Meader's. Washingon, D. C. — Hary S. Wolf has resigned from the active management of Meader's theater, at 535-537 Eighth street, southeast, although retaining his financial interest in the house. The management devolves upon A. Brylawski, also a member of the company operating the theater. Mr. Wolf Is the owner of a large shoe store on F street and this, with his othav Casino Reopens Labor Day. Washington, D. C— Labor Day will see the reopening of the Casino theater on F street, near Seventh street, northwest, as a motion picture theater, this time strictly as a V-L-S-E first-run house, with Murray Herman in charge. Mr. Herman was assistant manager of the Casino when Alan Bachrach was at the helm and later, when the lease of the Brylawski's ran out and the theater darkened, he went to the Strand and since leaving there he has been booking state rights propositions. The A. C. Mayer Amusement Company, owners of the building, and some outside interests, so it is said, are back of a plan to put over something big in spite of the fact that the theater is not considered a great success because of its location. There is a feeling, however, that this can be made popular if properly conducted and Mr. Herman and those back of him believe they have the password that will open the doors of success. While the plans of the company have not been announced, it is said that they contemplate a number of novelties, elaborate stage settings, a large orchestra and "redheaded and uniformed" girl ushers. There is to be a uniformed flunkey at the door after the fashion of the legitimate houses. Two new projection machines are being installed in the booth and the motto of the house is to be "perfect projection, courtesy, service, comfort." Another Day Brings Joy. Washington, D. C. — L M. Day, president of the local Metro exchange, is wearing a smile that won't disappear, for there is a new arrival at his house. This is his fourth son, and strange as it may seem, each of these, as well as the proud papa, lay claim to August as the birth month. A fifth child is a girl. C. W. Buck Takes Vacation. Washington, D. C. — C. W. Buck, who travels out of the Chicago office of the Fox Film Corporation, is enjoying a much needed rest with relatives and friends in Baltimore and Washington. Before migrating to the middle -west city Mr. Buck was a native of Baltimore. Marcus Notes on Sixth and F Streets. Washington, D. C. — Marcus Notes, who operates the Imperial Film Exchange, has taken quarters in the building at Sixth and F streets, northwest, where he will handle "The Unborn," "Pavlowa" and •Where Are My Children," as well as other state rights propositions. His son, William Notes, is doing road work for him. Mr. Notes also controls the Empress theater, on Ninth street. E. T. Wright to Have Pretty Theater. Washington, D. C. — Among the recent visitors in Washington was E. T. Wright, the popular young manager of the Colonial theater, in Hagerstown, Md. Mr. Wright told the Moving Picture World correspondent that he was planning big things for his house, including the installation of aJi illuminated garden setting on the stage and the hanging of a velvet curtain in front of the gold fiber screen. At the conclusion of each show the curtain will cover the screen and the lights in the garden and in the theater will be turned on. This i.« being accomplished by an expenditure of more than a thousand dollars. The setting is to be very elaborate and Mr. Wright is confident that it will be as good as any decoration in any southern house. The work will be completed in time for an initial appearance on Labor Day.