Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

July 20, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 427 Moving Picture Operators' Union demanded that all film exchanges recognize the Film Inspectors Union — recently organized. The operators said that they would refuse to handle the films of exchanges where the girl inspectors were not permitted to organize. The difficulty was solved, however, and film exchanges and the two unions are now on good terms following the reaching of a practically general agreement. Davis of General Film is Promoted. James B. Kelly ("Smiling Jimmy"), manager of the General, announces that Sol Davis has been promoted to the position of assistant salesmanager of the General. He will also handle the output of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. Miss Pearl Varvel has been appointed as secretary to Mr. Kelly. Jimmy Kelly, by the way, is smiling even a happier smile than usual. The General's "Last Raid of Zeppline L-21" has made a big hit in Texas. It was released July 1, and Dallas people crowded to see it at the Crystal theater. J. C. Fanning Recuperating Rapidly. John C. Fanning, of the Crazy theater, Mineral Wells, is out again, and is as cheery as ever after six weeks' serious illness. He walks with a cane, but is getting better rapidly. He received congratulations from James B. Kelly, Douglas Hawley, and other film men when he visited here. Parex Film Opens Branch at Austin. Permit to do business in Texas has been granted to the Parex Film Corporation, of New York. Capital stock is $1,000, and headquarters will be at Austin. Boland President of First National. Tom M. Boland, of Oklahoma City, has been chosen president of the Firt National Exhibitors' Circuit, of Oklahoma. Jack H. Brainerd, formerly of the Mutual, has been appointed manager. His headquarters will be at Oklahoma City. Lytle Building $20,000 Theater. W. J. Lytle, of the Princess, Empire, and other theaters at San Antonio, has launched another successful venture. He is constructing a $20,000 theater at Del Rio In the border country. Dallas Film Row Jottings. Charles Gladstone Buchanan, of Metro, is an enthusiast over "To Hell with the Kaiser." He has circulated little red stickers bearing this prophesy of the ultimate destination of Wilhelm far and wide over Texas. Texans generally seem to warmly approve the sentiment. L. Blckel, manager of the Dallas Metro branch, returned home the last week in June after making a complete tour of Texas. He reports that exhibitors are in a good humor and doing good business despite the unusually warm weather. They are all hunting for live stuff. /. W. Allender Purchases Majestic Theater Acquires Structure from Messrs. Knipe, Coons and Bowman — Will Continue Adding to His Chain of Picture Houses — Files Articles of Incorporation for J. W. Allender, Inc. By S. Clark Patchin, E. 1811 Eleventh Ave., Spokane, Wash. Allender Takes Over the Majestic. SPOKANE.— Manager J. W. Allender, of the Lyric theater, continues to add to his acquisitions, and has just purchased the Majestic theater from J. C. Knipe, H. W. Coons and C. P. Bowman at a reported cost of $9,000 cash. The above trio purchased the Majestic last August from Long and Bungay, who had W. H. McMillan as manager. Mr. Allender contemplates adding more picture theaters to his chain, and with that in view has filed articles of incorporation for the J. W. Allender. Incorporated for $100,000. He combined the Majestic with the Lyric and sold a minority interest to J. G. Maddux, who has been an operator in the city for years. Mr. Allender is having the Majestic renovated, and is improving the projection. He announces that he will use the Artcraft, Paramount, and De Luxe pictures in the place, and that "Intolerance" will be shown at the Lyric starting July 14. He also reports that "The Little Girl Next Door" is playing to big audiences at the Auditorium. He will run "Hearts of the World" at the Auditorium for three weeks starting July 6. Would Provide Seats for Every Ticket. Spokane. — A city ordinance providing that the public may not be admitted to Spokane theaters unless there is a seat for every ticket sold was suggested to the city council by Corporation Counsel J. M. Geraghty. Discussion of theater seating arrangements arose when E. Clarke Walker, manager of the Pantages theater, which is a vaudeville and moving picture house, appeared before the council to deny that his show house is "bilking the public." Mr. Walker -was aroused by a complaint made by Commissioner J. C. Argall that the Pantages management was misleading the public in announcing the price of its seats. The Pantages is loosing money on its shows, and has been since April 1, according to Mr. Walker, who said that the monthly loss had been $500. The complaint included that patrons purchased tickets for admission on the price charged for first floor seats then were directed to the balcony by ushers inside who told them that there were no seats downstairs. Coffy to Exploit "Eyes of the World." Spokane. — E. P. Coffy, who has been manager of the Stilwall Theaters Company for some months, tendered his resignation effective July 1, and has associated himself with H. O. Hauxhurst and W. J. Howell, who have purchased the state rishts for Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas for "The Eyes of the World." He will leave here July 8 for the Coast to exploit the picture there for a time, and on September 1 will go East for his work in the three states above mentioned. Spokane Film News Notes. O. Dahl, of Troy, Mont., who manages the Opera House at that place, visited the Universal exchange here for some special pictures this week. F. C. Quinby, of New York City, general manager of the Pathe exchanges, visited P. L. Carroll, local manager, for several days while on a tour of the Western exchanges. W. Potter, of the Universal, returned from a trip into Montana and left for Wallace and other Idaho towns. Liberty Now Has Girl Ushers. To release the boys and young men ushers for war work in factories and agricultural pursuits, Manager Sam W. B. Cohn, of the Liberty theater, Spokane, has substituted girls as ushers and floor managers. The uniforms are of tan, and the illustration on this page shows the girls in their costumes, which are plain, natty, and not overly expensive, thus carrying out the economy plan, Cohn Decorates Liberty for Summer. Manager Sam W. B. Cohn, of the Liberty theater, Spokane, has spent $200 on lobby and interior decorations for the summer, and a picture of the lobby and floral decorations in it is shown below, together with the colored cleaners who keep scraps of paper off the floor, also Manager Cohn at the right, where he was unexpectedly caught by the photographer while trying to keep people from passing in front of the entrance until the picture was taken. The interior decorations include a number of hanging baskets, and a large array of potted flowers greet one upon entering the theater. These are lighted by electric lights shielded by curtains, so as not to interfere with the pictures being shown. Join the Production Army Buy War Savings Stamps Girl Ushers of the Liberty Theater, Spokane. Lobby of Liberty, Spokane, with Summer Decorations.