Moving Picture World (Aug 1917)

August 18, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1101 BISON CITY NEWS. With the K-E-S-E Men. Buffalo, N. Y. — Unafraid of sunstrt Louis Green, manager of the K-E-S-E. Buffalo, is campaigning in Syracuse and Binghamton. His new assistant is G. H. Montgomery, formerly connected with the company's executive offices in Chicago. L. A. Schaefer of the local exchange will tour between Binghamton and Watertown. Harry Scott, of the K-E-S-E, was a Buffalo visitor. Film Trade Board Organized in Cleveland Moving Picture Distributors Board of Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Is Formed — New Officers Chosen and What the Body Aims to Do. From M. A. Malaney, 218 Columbia Bldg., Cleveland, O. Carl F. Miller, Manager of Strand. Fremont, Ohio. — One of the most prominent exhibitors of the state of Ohio Is Carl F. Miller. M. D. Weinberger Says State Rights Field Will Improve. Buffalo, N. Y. — Mack D. Weinberger, manager of the Rosetwig Feature Films, Buffalo, is making a trip through New York State. He has been in the exchange business for years. He predicts that the state rights field will be better than ever this fall. The same prediction was made by others interviewed by the representative of the Moving Picture World. Popular Exchange Invites the Exhibitor. Buffalo, N. Y. — Mr. Exhibitor, if you find while making the rounds of the Buffalo exchanges, that you want to write a letter or do a little planning in regard to your booking you "won't need to go to a hotel to accomplish this. Just step into the new "rest room" being opened by the Popular Cinema exchange at 43 West Swan street. You may use the company's writing material to your heart's content, and unless you want to talk to New York or intermediate points the telephone will be at your disposal. "No Smoking Allowed" signs will be absent from the walls, and you may light your cigarette as you dope out your plans for the rest of the day. You will find the place absolutely "dry," and poker and war talk will be tabooed. You may use the Popular's "rest room" as a clearing house, where, with other busy exhibitors like yourself, you will be privileged to discuss pictures from every angle. If you are inclined to argue, better keep your temper while in the room, because police headquarters is nearby. This "rest room" will be as welcome as any at the local department stores, but will be minus the maid service. The place 'will be like a den, with an electric fan in the summer and steam radiator in the winter, but there will be no steins to take your mind off your work. Picture men say these are passe since the passage of the Brown bill. CLEVELAND, OHIO. — The exchange men of Cleveland, most of them, have organized an association in connection with the Chamber of Commerce, which is known as the Moving Picture Distributors' Board of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. At a meeting held last Thursday at noon the final details of organization were worked out and officers were elected as follows: President, E. A. Eschmann, of the World Film corporation; vice-president, J. E. Flynn, of the General Film company; treasurer, J. R. Johnson, of the Greater Vitagraph company; secretary, Munson Havens, who also is secretary of the Chamber. It is the purpose of the organization to work for. the best interests of the industry, especially as it relates to the progress of moving pictures in a business way. One of the first matters to be treated is the poor express service. Any action taken by this board will have the full backing of the entire Chamber of Commerce, and the exchange men expect to see that better service is given them at once. No Movie of Johnny Kilbane. Cleveland, O. — Blasted are the hopes of certain film promoters of Cleveland, who were just getting ready to make a feature, starring Johnny Kilbane, the champion featherweight fighter of the world. The explosion occurred Wednesday night, July 25. A right hook to the chin, five counts from the referee, the gong and a towel in the ring. No movie play. When Benny Leonard rapped Johnnny on the jaw in the third round of their battle in Philadelphia, it may not have taken away Johnny's featherweight honors, but it put an end to a fine movie project. If Johnny had knocked the lightweight champion out and thereby became a double champion, the picture would have been made. Robert McLaughlin, a playwright, had his typewriter and two fingers ready to pound out a scenario, while a well-known Cleveland man was fingering the greenbacks to pay the expenses of the picture. Then came the third round and the two went home to sleep and dream of a fortune gone glimmering. Hot Wave and Sand Flies Close Theaters Several Western New York Theaters Have Closed Till Better Weather — Taking the Time to Paint and Restore Appearance of the Houses. By Joseph McGuire, 157 North Elmwood St. Buffalo N. Y. •p UFFALO, N. Y. — Several theaters in Buffalo and western New York have closed their doors, and will reopen about September 1. The extreme "humility," as one humorist expressed it, is given as one of the causes. "Fish" or "sand" flies, said to be more numerous than the combined armies of Europe, also have descended onto this territory, and theater lobbies have not been immune from attack. These pests are so ubiquitous and have such a faculty of settling on the backs of film fans that they — the flies — and the soaring mercury have convinced more than one exhibitor that it is time to shut up shop. Patrons of pictures were extra loyal to their favorite houses during June and the greater part of July, but now many prefer to enjoy the rest and recreation and refreshing breezes of the nearby lake and river summer resorts, where the airdomes are in full swing. Buffalo's weather man denies that it is hot. He says the heat exists only in the people's imagination. He is a man of veracity, so the sweltering occupants of the moving picture booths, the ushers and even the managers meet his assertion with courteous silence. A Time for Making Things Bright. Several of the houses which have closed will be made spic and span before Labor Day. When the patrons return next month they will find that their appetites for pictures have been whetted by the four weeks past, and "business as usual" will be the rule. The larger theaters, which maintain a "year-round-open" policy, are in no way curtailing their expensive services. Several of the houses are successful in being kept really cool. It is also a fact .that right In Buffalo there are thousands who would want to go to the picture shows even if Hades-like heat swept over the city. Therefore the theaters that do keep open this month are not losing money. Buffalo, N. Y. — "The Slacker," a timely title, now that the exemption boards are getting into action, is drawing good business at the Strand. Buffalo. He has operated theaters here for many years and only recently took over the Strand, the city's finest house. Mr. Miller formerly was a writer for amusement papers, his pen name being "Sour Guy," under which he wrote some very amusing "hick" showman's letters. Carl 1\ >lill«r. He i.< now suc cess as manager of the Strand at Fremont and has a host of friends both among the film men and patrons who frequent his theater. He believes in finding what the people want and providing Just that. He is laying the foundation of substantial success on this principle. Cleveland Film Men in First Call. Cleveland, O. — The only moving picture men of Cleveland who were in the fir?t call of the army draft were the following: Charles C. Hall, manager of the Atlas Film company, Standard theater building. Frank Denol, operator at the Mall theater. Thomas Colby, manager of the Union Film company, takes the examinatijn soon for the officers' reserve corps. Although drafted, J. S. Jossey, exchange man, had previous to the draft applied for admittance to the officers' reserve corps and expects to pass the examination. R. N. Morris Leaves Mutual for Famous Players. Cleveland, O. — R. N. Morris, son ci "Battleship" Morris, has resigned from the Cleveland Mutual exchange to take a position with the new Famous Players branch in that city. He was with the Mutual as booker for three years and will be booker for the Famous. Plaza Theater Goes Back to Former Owner. Cleveland, O. — J. H. Simpson, who recently took over the Plaza theater, has relinquished that house to the former owner, Mr. Dessauer, and now will devote all his time to his Ideal theater. Famous Players Cleveland Office Much Alive. Cleveland, O. — The Cleveland office of the Famous Players company is now operating in full blast. The publicity department, which was transferred from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, has arrived, and Publicity Director Moorhouse says his force Will show some unusual and active advertising work in this district. Mr. Moorhouse used to work in Cleveland on afternoon newspapers and is therefore acquainted with the editors and employees of these sheets. Exhibitor M. C. Flahaven Weds. Cleveland, O. — M. C. Flahaven, manager of the Crawford theater, was married last week to Miss Clara Blelcher. Mr. FL">haven is one of the best known exhibitors of Cleveland.