Reel Life (Sep 1914 - Mar 1915)

Eighteen REEL LIFE The Exhibitor's End of It EVERYBODY in Spokane, Wash., knows James McConahey, the genial manager of the Best and American Theaters, two of the most popular motion picture play houses in that thriving city. Mr. McConahey is a particular favorite of " the younger element, all of whom have an especial place in his big heart, and the children form a large percentage of the patrons at the afternoon and early evening performances at both his houses. Clean, wholesome photoplays, with genuine dramatic values, make up the programs at the Best and American Theaters, and long experience has demonstrated to Manager McConahey, that only Mutual releases consistently maintain the standard of excellence, which his patrons demand. In the picture on this page, Mr. McConahey is shown with two of his "sparring partners", the children of one of his friends. The pose was snapped "just for the fun of it", and it is evident that his proteges are enjoying being photographed quite as much as Mr. McConahey, himself. An enlargement of the picture, shown in front of Mr. McConahey's houses, attracted a great deal of attention, and now half the lads in town are begging the popular manager to let them pose with him. Certainly, it wouldn't be a halfbad publicity stunt, especially if arrangements were made to show some of these pictures on the screen. Manager James McConahey of the Best and American Theaters, Spokane, Wash., and Two of His "Sparring Partners" tended wedding that Indianapolis has seen in many a day, and the arrangements were concluded. According to Manager Soffell, the "stunt" proved a record-breaker, smashing all previous attendance records at the Talbott, and even then, the management could not provide for more than half the people, who wanted to get in. In Manager Soffell's own words, "I had them packed to the curb for over two hours, and, of course, I couldn't have the wedding performed, but once, yet most of the people came in anyway to see the picture. This was without doubt the best publicity 'stunt' I ever put over, and it may be of help to some other exhibitor, so I send it to Reel Life/' In congratulating Mr. Soffell on his enterprise, it may not be amiss to suggest, that had he wished, he might have had the wedding performed again and yet again. A couple once married, may be married as frequently thereafter as they so desire, without violating any law, providing, of course, that they marry each other. The succeeding ceremonies will be superfluous as far as making .the original marital compact more binding, but there is no reason, why a man shouldn't be formally married to his wife every day if he so desires. w HilLE other exhibitors were using many clever and novel forms of "wedding invitations", some of which have already been shown in Reel Life, announcing the coming of Runaway June to their houses, Manager S. C. Soffell of the Talbott Theater, Indianapolis, Ind., decided to put over a "real one" and have a genuine marriage performed on the stage of his house, in honor of the opening instalment of the popular Reliance serial. Mr. Soffell inserted an advertisement in the local papers asking for a couple to be married in public, and received plenty of answers, but when the applicants learned all the circumstances, most of them got "cold feet". However, at last a couple appeared, who weren't feazed by the prospect of being the principals in the best at Public Wedding Wednesday Eve. 8:00 P. M. Miss G oldie Hammond and Otto Swalls Will be united in Holy Matrimony this day and date A Genuine Wedding on the Stage in connection with "RUNAWAY JUNE" Talbott Theatre 22nd and Talbott NOTE— This Is positively not a Mock Wedding, but a genuine up-to-date Wedding Sample {reduced size) of Hand Bill Distributed by Manager Soffell of the Talbott Theater, Indianapolis, Ind., Advertising First Installment of "Runaway June" MANAGER William E. Bock of the Frank Theater, Council Bluffs, la., whose four-page weekly paper the "Frankster" was recently commented on in Reel Life, not long ago held a "kodak contest", which was very successful. Each five cent admission was good for five votes, and many people bought several dollars worth of tickets in advance and voted for their favorite in the race for .the kodak. Regarding his paper, Manager Bock is quite enthusiastic. "It is paying for itself, already," he said a short time ago, "and is the best advertisement of its kind, as it goes to every home in the neighborhood free of cost, besides being given to every patron of the theater and distributed broadcast among the school children." The "Frankster" contains news of local affairs and events, and special features, as well as the regular weekly program at the Frank Theater.