Moving Picture World (Aug 1917)

1104 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD LA a Insurance Men Argue for Fire Sprinklers Indianapolis Experts Differ on Need of Automatic Fire Sprinklers in Exchanges — Methods in Exchanges of Chicago and Cincinnati May Be Followed. By Indiana Trade News Service, 861. State Life Bldg., Indianapolis, Ind. feeling against the Ger picture business satisfactory. August 18, 1917 Evansville is still INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — Fire insurance experts and owners of motion picture exchanges in this vicinity are on the verge of a deadlock as a result of differing opinions regarding some of the precautionary provisions in the proposed new ordinance, governing the storage, handling and manufacture of motion picture films, which has been hashed and rehashed before the Indianapolis city council for the last three or four weeks. The fire insurance experts are demanding that the exchanges should be equipped with automatic sprinklers, and the owners of the exchanges declare that if such a provision is inserted in the ordinance they will be forced to pay out money unnecessarily for fire protection. And thereby hangs the deadlock. Fire insurance men who have been interested in the passage of the ordinance, which was introduced in the council a few weeks ago, say they have no selfish interest in demanding that the ordinance provide for the compulsory use of automatic sprinklers. The_y say that the money question does not enter into their contention, but that they are thinking only of the safety of the public. The differences between the insurance men and the owners of motion picture exchanges and theaters were aired two weeks ago before one meeting of the council, and a majority of the members of the city welfare committee, to which the ordinance was referred, favored the elimination of the provision that demands the use of automatic sprinklers. The exchange men point out that inasmuch as the committee has favored the elimination of the sprinklers, the insurance men should abide by the committee's decision. The insurance men, however, say that if the automatic sprinklers are used the difference in the fire insurance rates will pay for the sprinkling devices in a few years. Jacob H. Hilkene, commissioner of public buildings, who prepared the motion picture ordinance with the help of E. M. Sellers, manager of the Indiana Inspection Bureau, and H. H. Friedley, state fire marshal, will leave in a few days on a trip to Cincinnati and Chicago, at the expense of the motion picture men, to ascertain what is being done in those cities to protect life and property by legislation to control the handling of motion picture films. Ordinances regulating this phase of the industry have been passed recently in Cincinnati and Chicago, it is reported. L. H. O'Donnell Takes Weil-Earned Vacation. Washington, Ind. — L. H. O'Donnell, manager of the Grand theater here, -who was one of the seventeen delegates from the Indiana state organization at the national convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America held at Chicago recently, has gone to Michigan to spend a few weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Padgett and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Burris, of this city, who are camping on one of the lakes in that section. Mr. O'Donnell is one of the most active exhibitors in the Indiana League. "Little American" Attracts Great Crowds. Hammond, Ind. — Hundreds of Chicago people flocked to this city last week to see the great Art Craft feature film, "The Little American," which was shown at the De Luxe theater. The film was prohibited from being shown in Chicago by Major Funkhouser, deputy superintendent of police, who said it might hurt the "sensibility of German-American citizens and arouse mans." Nearly every night the picture was shown at the De Luxe, traffic on the streets surrounding the theater was blocked by long lines of people who were waiting to buy admission tickets. Manager Michaelstetter was so well pleased with the picture and the crowds that he has decided to book it for a return engagement in the near future. The picture has since been shown at a private exhibition to 100 Chicago people, representing the city's official, civic and social life, and they ridiculed Funkhouser for his action. Raymond Moore Opens Cozy Theater. Winchester, Ind. — The Cozy theater here has been sold to Raymond Moore, of Union City, who will assume charge immediately. J. T. Kelley, former owner, is contemplating opening another theater in the winter. Frank Heller Says He Enjoyed Convention. Anderson, Ind. — Frank Heller, genial manager of the Starland and Meridian theaters, has returned from Chicago, 111., where he attended the annual meeting of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America. Mr. Heller, who was one of the seventeen delegates from the Indiana state organization, reports that the convention was the liveliest one he ever attended. He said he enjoyed himself every minute of his stay. Charles H. Sweeton Back from Chicago. Evansville, Ind. — Charles H. Sweeton, manager of the Majestic theater, has returned from Chicago, where he attended the convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, and other cities in the North. Mr. Sweeton reports that despite the hot weather the motion Evansville, Ind. — Managers of motion picture theaters of this city are contemplating giving their patrons a "fast" on shows. It is their intention to hold shows only two days each week — on Saturdays and Sundays — during the extremely hot weather. However, no definite agreement has yet been reached. Schedule of First Runs in Detroit Moving Picture World Representative Inquires About First Run Bookings and Makes Up a List of Houses and Their Offerings. DETROIT, MICH. — So many exhibitors have asked the "World correspondent what the first-run situation is in Detroit that we are giving it herewith as it exists today. The Madison theater has signed for the first twenty-six Goldwyn pictures; in addition it will show Metro, taking its selection. The Washington theater is an open booking house, playing all big attractions as long as they "are in the money." No first-run has been signed for the Washington. The Majestic theater has signed for K-E-S-E service, the contract calling for 52 pictures, pay or play, starting the last week in August. This doesn't necessarily follow that the Majestic need play every picture; they can show other pictures any time they wish by simply laying the K-E-S-E on the shelf. "The K-E-S-E is coming better and their pictures are excellent," said M. W. McGee, manager of the Majestic. The Liberty theater will show Metro pictures, taking second pick following the Madison. The Broadway-Strand is a Paramount theater starting around the first of September. This theater has booked 52 Paramount and Artcraft subjects, which means there is no room for outside attractions. The Madison is the newest and finest of the John H. Kusky theaters. Mr. Starr has been in Detroit for six years, starting in as manager of the Empire theater for A. J. Gilligham. After three years he went with John H. Kunsky as manager of the Liberty; later the Washington theater, and to the new Madison when it opened some months ago. The desire to spend more time with his family and because he sees big opportunities in the selling end of this industry, are the reasons given by Mr. Starr for the change. Gus Greening Will Run Majestic Theater. Ann Arbor, Mich.— Gus Greening, at one time with the Sullivan-Considine circuit, and more recently as manager of the Oakland theater in Pontiac, has been appointed manager of the Majestic theater in Ann Arbor, by W. S. Butterfield. Frank O'Donnell, former manager there, has gone to the Majestic in Kalamazoo. William Elliott Takes Management of Washington Theater. Detroit, Mich. — William Elliott, formerly with Paramount in Detroit, and for some months with the Barnett Film Attractions, Detroit, has resigned to become manager of the Washington theater for John H. Kunsky. Mr. Elliott has spent his life in the amusement business, for a number of years as manager of traveling road attractions for Cohan & Harris. He also owns "Neptune's Daughter" for Michigan. Mr. Elliott's going to the Washington means that Thomas D. Moule, now manager of the Alhambra, goes to the new Madison, while R. G. McGaw will go to the new Adams, which opens in September. No manager has yet been selected by Mr. Kunsky for the Alhambra. Harlan Starr Resigns Theater to Travel for Pathe. Detroit, Mich. — We were all quite surprised this week with the announcement by M. Harlan Starr that he had resigned the management of the Madison theater, Detroit, to become city salesman for Pathe. Mr. Starr assumed his new duties on Monday, August 6. He will cover nearly one-half of the Detroit theaters. Foursquare Gets Two Live Wires. Detroit, Mich. — D. Leo Dennison, formerly with Paramount, has gone to Cleveland as manager of the M. H. Hoffman Foursquare Pictures, for which George W. Weeks of Detroit is division manager. Sidney Alexander, leading Detroit attorney, and for some weeks in charge of the Palace theater in Saginaw, for the creditors, has taken to the road for George W. Weeks. He will make the big cities in the territory, such as Columbus, Toledo, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, etc., looking after the first-runs. "I believe both of these men are going to get results for Hoffman Foursquare Pictures," said Mr. Weeks. "The treatment they have already received from exhibitors convinces me that Hoffman Pro