Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

2152 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 30, 19)6 expects to leave in a few days for the Okanogan country and Spokane. John W. Drum, special representative for World Film, arrived in Seattle recently from Spokane. Manager Rennie is very well pleased with the results of his trip and is planning to send him down soon to stir up Oregon. Frederick Mercy, popular exhibitor of North Yakima, has just returned from New York City after a period of five weeks. Mr. Mercy brings back glowing accounts of the big things being done in the motion picture field in New York. G. Blanchard of the Dream theater, Puyallup, drove over yesterday in his big new car to make Fall bookings. Among others he contracted for Universal's new serial, "Liberty." Other visitors on film row during the past week were: A. H. McDonald of The Rex theater, Eugene, Oregon; Henry Newman, Arcade theater, Hoquiam; W. H. Connor, Folly theater, Stanwood; R. W. Cram, Arcade theater, Walla Walla, and T. J. Burke, Shell theater, Tacoma. SPOKANE FILM NOTES. From S. Clark Patchin, E1811 11th Avenue, Spokane, Wash. Good Business During Fair Week. SPOKANE, Wash. — With the return of fall and the ODening of the Spokane Interstate Fair, moving picture exhibitors of Spokane reaped big profits during the week, and every house had an extra good program to attract the visitors to the city during the week. Starting with Sunday, the houses were packed to capacity, and hundreds waiting to get in for the next show. As fast as seats were vacated others took them that day, and business continued good during the week. Strand Opens at Livingston. Governor S. V. Stewart of Helena, attended the opening of the new $60,000 Strand theater at Livingston, Mont., recently. It was built by A. W. Miles. Including the equipment the place represents an investment of $100,000. It has a large pipe organ. Members of the Spokane Business Girls' Club appeared in moving pictures, their club having a candidate In the popularity contest for the fair, who won third prize. The pictures were shown at the Liberty theater, and the girls gave a theater party. TO EXHIBITORS. If you are doing something new and interesting at your theatre let our correspondent know about it. It may help others and help you as welL Helpfully yours, THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Changes at Local Famous Players. Calgary, Alberta. — A number of changes have recently been made in the staff at the local headquarters of the Famous Players Film Service, Limited — the head office for Western Canada, in charge of H. J. Allen. Harold F. Moore, for many years with the General Film, has been installed as booker and assistant manager. Irving H. Allen, formerly in the office, Is going out on the road to meet the exhibitors face to face. Mr. Gleason, representative of the Western Canadian offices, Is also making an extended trip, and will cover the Western territory thoroughly. Mr. Sessions has also been added to the staff, and A. Smith is the new shipper. A new film cleaning machine has been installed, and with the assistance of Miss Smith, is keeping the film In first-class condition. C. O. D. Rule in British" Columbia •ijk Vancouver Exchanges Supplying Ail British Columbia Now Require Payment for Films in Advance — Checks Must Be on Hand or C. O. D. Shipments Go Forward — Discontent at Move Expected to Pass. By E. C. Thomas, 621 Rogers Building, Vancouver, B. C VANCOUVER, B. C. — On September 4, in accordance with a previous arrangement, all the local film exchanges, supplying the whole of British Columbia, put into effect the pay-in-advance system of collections for service, and this method will be continued hereafter. Considerable trouble has been experienced with collections in some quarters, and the exchanges decided that this was the only way to protect not only themselves, but also the exhibitor who expected to pay, and did pay, for his films. The exchanges are requesting payment on Friday morning for the following week's service, although of course an exhibitor may obtain films at any time by paying for them in advance. In the case of out-of-town exhibitors, if the rental for films to be supplied has not been received, a C. O. D. shipment will be made. Although there has been some objection to the plan on the part of exhibitors generally, the fact that the rule will be rigidly enforced in all cases removes any possible cause for any exhibitor to feel offended, and it is thought that within a short time, when the beneficial effects of the system have become apparent, all objection will disappear. An appeal has been entered against the decision, but a"s the appeal board has so far upheld the judgment of the censors in every instance when an appeal has been taken, there appears to be little likelihood of a favorable decision following the review of the film. Charles Robson, the Saskatchewan representative on the censor -board, is at present on a vacation, and his place is being filled by Mr. G. Cooke of Regina. Sunday Shows for Patriotic Benefits. Winnipeg, Man. — If the moving picture exhibitors of this city desire to run their theaters on Sunday with the object of donating the proceeds to patriotic purposes, they will not be likely to find any difficulty about the matter, according to hints dropped recently by Hon. A. B. Hudson. Mr. Hudson said he would not promise immunity to the picture men for this purpose, but significantly added that he was not compelled to issue a fiat for the prosecution of exhibitors provided the exhibitions were legitimately patrotic ones. This may be the opening wedge for Sunday shows. A Tax Bill Not Generously Worded. Calgary, Alberta. — The proposed municipal business tax on musicians in this city, recently put forward by the city council, has encountered determined opposition among all classes of people, and a largely attended meeting in regard to the matter has just been held at the public library. A committee was appointed to present the musicians' side of the case to the council, in an effort to have the question reconsidered. There is no objection to a tax on musicians' incomes, it is stated, but a flat rate, without regara to the income of the person paying the tax, is considered unjust. Lieut.-Col. Dennis, presiding at the meeting, as well as many other persons present, commented particularly on the generosity of local musicians at this time in playing without charge at patriotic and other entertainments, and agred that this is an inopportune time for levying a new tax upon them. For Film Distribution Moves Vancouver, B. C. — The Dominion Exclusives, Limited, distributing Fox features in Western Canada, is the latest local exchange to move, and Manager E. R. Fauser is now located in the Orpheum Theater Building, which is fast becoming the film center of the city. The Fox offices are on the fifth floor, while directly underneath, on the second floor, are the Metro quarters, with the Famous Players Film Service located on the third floor. Paris Apaches and the Empire. Winnipeg, Man. — The inter-provincial board of censors, with headquarters In this city, has Just condemned a picture for a peculiar reason, which parallels the British Columbia censor's excuse for rejecting "The Campbells Are Coming" — the reason for the latter being that East Indian troops, now fighting with the Allies, are shown in revolt. In the present instance the ManitobaSaskatchewan board has followed this highly diverting line of reasoning: Franco is an ally of Great Britain; therefore the Paris apaches are friends of the British Empire. As the five-reel film, "A Child of the Paris Streets," bares the life of the underworld of Paris a little too vividly, and shows the apaches to be persons whom one simply does not know, the picture has been condemned. British Columbia Notes of Interest Calgary, Alberta. — J. B. Cronk, manager of the Allen Theater, has returned to the city, and reports that business has picked up wonderfully in the past few weeks. Victoria, B. C. — B. S. Heisterman, proprietor of the Majestic Theater, recently closed the house for a week, to allow an opportunity for a complete renovation of the theater, and reopened on September 6, using Mutual service. A great change is noted in the appearance of the interior of the theater. Winnipeg, Man. — Jack Herron, road man for the Mutual Film Corporation, recently started on a trip covering the whole of Western Canada, and at the present writing is working through the Alberta territory. He is expected to reach the coast about the end of September. Fernie, B. C. — H. J. Allen of the Famous Players Film Service was here a short time ago, calling on G. M. Alexander of the Orpheum and Isis theaters. Trail, B. C. — G. H Adams, formerly of Prince George, is about to build a moving picture theater here. Edmonton, Alberta. — Manager Max Allen of the Monarch Theater has just increased his orchestra, and reports constantly improving business. Vancouver, B. C. — Dr. T. B. Hall of this city has just purchased the Western Canadian rights for the Williamson Submarine Pictures, which will be exhibited at the Orpheum Theater at advanced prices for three days, commencing September 14. These pictures have never before been exhibited in this territory. Calgary, Alberta. — B. Allen, president of the Famous Players Film Service, is on a trip through the West, and after spending some time here has visited Edmonton and Moose Jaw, where he attended the opening of the new Allen theater. Vancouver, B. C. — Miss C. M. Smith, accountant, and Miss Helen McDonald, stenographer, have been added to the staff of the local Mutual office.