The Billboard 1912-05-25: Vol 24 Iss 21 (1912-05-25)

10 The Billboard MAY 25, 1912, MANUFACTURERS AND EXCHANGEMEN MEET Independent Manufacturers and Exchangemen Allied With Universal Film Manufacturing Company Meet at Sherman House, Chicago, May 15—Meeting Results in Arrangement for Exclusive Program Being Perfected—Another Gathering To Be Held in Cincinnati This Week MUTUAL OPENS NEW EXCHANGES Chicago, May 18 (Special to The Billboard). -—On Wednesday, May 15, a number of independent exchange men and manufacturers allied with the Universal Film Manufacturing Co. met in Chicago at the Sherman House for the Purpose of arranging exclusive territory § for those exchanges not allied with the Mutua! Film Corporation, and which it is expected will be @erved by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Although a committee has been ap inted, consisting of W. E. Green, of Boston; . J. Carrick, of Philadelphia, and Joseph Hopp, of Chicago, to divide the territory, all other exchange representatives present assisted in this work. The entire distribution of territory, however, were not completed. Another meeting for this purpose will be held in Cincinnati sometime during the week of May 20. Bach of the two independent factions as it Row stands seems confident that their method of operation is the best. The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, backed by forty-three buying exchanges controlled by indivduals are offering an exclusive program, which wiil commence on Monday, May 27. This program at the start will consist of about eighteen reels, but it is possible that twenty-four reels will be arranged for before that date. Although no agreements or contracts have been signed, it is understood that these manufacturers will sell to no other exchange in the United States not listed amongst these fortythree, or which bewngs to any combination of exchanges. The exchange men, on the other hand have promised to purchase the entire output up to a certain number of releases a week, thereby guaranteeing the manufacturers a certain income each week. For this exclusive program these exchange men have agreed to pay more than was heretofore asked by the manufacturers, as it is felt under the present method of manufacture by the Universal a uniformly better program will be made than formerly, which, accordingly, will be worth more money. It was also arranged that films be returned by the exchangemen to the Universal Film Manufacturing Company within a year from their release, this to take effect immediately with the first films released by this faction. Should the Film Suppiy Company of America, which consists of the following brands of film, Ganumont Weekly, Majestic, Thanhouser, Reliance, Eclair, Solax, American, Gaumont Regular, Great Northern, Comet Features and Lax, not sell to the exchanges supported by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, these exchanges will open new exchanges in the territory now exclusively controlled by Mutual Film Corporation exchanges. Up to the present time, the only territory in which the exchange men listed under the Univesal banner have not offices is Milwaukee, Wis., Detroit, Mich.. and St. Louis, Mo. Should it became necessary to place exchanges in these cities, they will be opened by the exchange man or men located nearest to that territery, to be decided upon by the exchange men adjacent to the territory. However should it be difficult for any exchange man decided to open offices in territory which at that time is not being served with the Universal program, the Universal Film Manufactur ing Company will lend that man whatever financial or other assistance is necessary. Those present at the meeting in Chicago were H. A. Fitz Jarrell, B. H. Powell, C. E. Olsen, I. W. MeMahan. J. W. Morgan, Geo. H. Grombacher, Frank T. Bailey, A. H. McDonald, Carl Leammile, C, O. Bauman, P. A. Powers. C. R. Plough, Jos. Hopp, E. J. Carrick, BE. E,. Green, C. Wagmer and Mr. Blache of the Gaumont. Although no formal meeting was called many matters of importance were discussed during the arranging of territory pertinent to the situation. It is claimed that the following exchanges wil! be purchasers of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company's exclusive program: California Film Exchange, San Francisco; Miles Brothers, San Francisco; Miles Brothers, Los Angeles; California Film Exchange, Los Angeles; F. B. Film Co., Los Angeles; Exchange, Denver: Washington Film EPxchange, Washington, D. ©.; Consolidated Film & Supply Co., Atlanta: Anti Trust Film Co. Chicago: Laemmle Film Service, Chicago: StandFilm Exchange, Chicago; Central Film Service, Indianapolis; Laemmle Film Service, Des Moines; Wichita Film & Supply Co., Wichita; Consolidated Film & Supply Co., New Orleans; Boston Film Rental Co., E. Green Film Exchange, Boston: Film Exchange, Baltimore; Laemmle Gervice. Minneapolis; J. W. Morgan, Kansas City; Pacific Film Exchange, Butte; Laemmle Film Service. Omaha: Empire Film Exchange, New York City; Great Eastern Film Exchange, New York City; Peerless Film Exchange, New York City; Metropolitan Film Exchange, New York City; Rex Film Exchange, New York City: Victor Film Service Co., Buffalo; United Motion Picture ©o., Oklahoma OGity: iependent W. F. Exchange, Portland, Ore.: Cincinnati-Buckeye Film Co., Cincinnati; Toledo Film Service, Toledo; Victor Film Service Cleveland; Eagle Film Exchange, Philadelphia; Exhibitors Film Service ©o., Wilkes-Barre; Philadelphia Film Exchange, Philadelphia; Philadelphia Projection Co., Philadelphia; Swaab Service, Philadelphia; Independent Film Exchange, Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Photoplay Co.. Pittsburgh: W. H. Swanson Film Co., Salt Lake City; Pacific Film Exchange, Seattle; Texas Film Exchange. Dallas. It is claimed by the manufacturers interestece fn the Universal Film Manufacturing Company that of the forty-three film exchanges, they personally own and control thirty and control ten more. This undoubtedly means that they either own or have the controlling stock in that number of exchanges, as It has been stated that tone of the exchange men has invested money in the Universal Film Manufacturing Company outside of those exchange men who are also manufacturers. W. H. Swanson Film Film c. J, Hite, and one of the of the Mutual directors of the Film Company of America, when seen in stated that the Mutual Film Corporation open offices in the territory in which they no exchanges if it became necessary. As re corded in last week's Billboura, they recently opened exchanges in Atlanta, New Orleans Dallas. Within the next week claimed that they will open exchanges in ton and Washington, D. C. It is the of many that the Mutual will have to op n new exchanges in that territory in which they Supply Chicago, or so Ros ROSWELL Film Corporation would have and | it s opinion | “BUSTER” ture for one night of the week. a great as they number been that jon a This has been loss to the exchange men in the past, have been compelled to buy a certain of reels a week, which could have decreased had they been advised in time they would not have to offer a program certain night. These cancellations, however, have been made a day or two previous, thus }compelling the exchange man tv keep the film jon his shelves, a dead loss for the day. Such a great number of these cancellations have been given the exchanges recentiy that they have | felt that this action Was necessary. JOHNSON Clever child actor, with the Lubin Stock Company. now are not represented. When necessary this will be done, but it will be the effort of the company to purchase such exchanges as are aiready established, but which have not been buying heavily, but which on acount of having the prestige of an advertised name as well as a certain number of customers will place that exchange on a stronger basis than if a new one were opened and at the same time it will elimi nate some of the competition which has been considered more troublesome than serious. As the situation now stands the Mutua! Film Corporation have sixteen exchanges in the United States: Majestic Film Service. Chicago: H. & H Film Pxchange, Chicago; Michigan Film & Sup. ply Co.. Detroit; Cadillac Film Exchange, Detroit: SwansonCrawford Film ©o., St. Louis; Western Film Exchange, Kansas City: Progressive Film Exchange. Omaha; Western Film Exchange, New York City; Buckeye Lake Shore Film Co., Columbus; Lake Shore Film & Supply ©o., Cleveland: Western Film Exchange, Milwaukee, and the five recently opened. The Film Supply Company of America have at the present time a program of twenty-one reels a week to offer the Mutual Film Corporation, and are in a position to increase this number with but short notice. The Mutual wi!l make sev eral features a week of either two or three reels. The Universal, also, will offer several two and three reel features. This move was necessary as all the independent exchanges have decided not to cancel any regular service charges because the exhibitor has booked a certain outside fea Amongst those exchanges which will receive the Universal program are several in which members of the Film Supply Company of America are interested, while on the other hand Mr. Bauman, Mr. Balshofer and Mr. Kessel! stil! have stock in the Reliance Film Manufacturing Company. Those exchange men of the Universal who have branch offices which are not listed as buy ing exchanges, but which encroach on some other man’s territory. will be closed up, as the man who has that territory gradually assumes his customers, The Universal Film Manufacturing Company will continue to put out the Animated Weekly and state that they have now in preparation a feature even bigger than the Animated, which they will shortly announce. It is also stated that they will offer their exchanges a number of the Milano features. Their weekly program, it is sald. will consist of two one-ree] Imps and one two-reel Imp: two one-reel Bisons and one two-reel Bison; three Nestors: two Rex; one Gem; two Powers under a different name; two Champions under ai § different name: one Itala and one Ambrosio, as well as a brand to be named in honor of Miss Florence Lawrence whom they have secured. The American Film Manufacturing Company, which is associated with the Film Supply Company of América is preparing to place a company in their Chicago studio. Already a number of people have been hired. ~~ —— It was stated by one of the members of the Film Supply Company of America that they z would continue to Operate on the sam: basis as the Sales Company until such time as changes can be made, On Friday, May 17, the Sales Company sent out the following night letter: “‘After May % 1912, we will not guarantee any furthe: ‘shipments of the following brands: Thanhouser Gaumont, American, Great Northern, Reliance’ Eclair, Solax, Lux, Comet. You will be able. however, to get satisfactory program See Saturday night letter. The Film Supply Company of America wil) soon have an election of officers and directors and it was stated by one of the Film Supply Company that in all probability Mr. Thanl« iser would be elected as president. Members of the Mutual Film Corporation state that at the present time deals are pending with some of those exchanges which are considering accepting the Universal program Which ey were, however, could not be learned It was further stated that some of them requested the Film Supply Company of America output, prvided they could have exclusive tervitory Phis, however, was ciaimed to be a plain poltical mc on their part, as they would then have of both programs, thus barring the possi» of any other exchange enteving their territory, M. P. E, LEAGUE NOTES, M. A. Neff president of the leagne. C. M. Christenson national secretary, O. B. Weaver state treasurer of the Ohio League, and W. A. Pittis vice-president of the Motion Picture Exhibitors’ League of Ohio, were present at a meeting of the Columbus Local of the Motion Picture Exhibitors’ League on Tuesday, after they visited the local organization, they with Max Stearn and the president of the jocal, Mr. Maddox held a council at the Chittenden Hote? in the interest of the state league. Big preparations are being made for the To ledo convention. Cincinmati Local No. 2 held a rousing meeting at the Sinton Hotel Monday, May 13, at 1:30 p. m. Several visiting members were present and elght new members were taken into the league. A motion was passed that every member of Local No. 2 secure the national certificate of membership signed by the president and secretary and that they hang the card in a conspicuous place in the front of their theatre. Every member present paid the required amount, 30 cents, for the card and in the near future every local theatre which is eligible in Cincinnati will have a certificate of the national league displayed in front of his theatre. The new code which is to govern the motion picture theatres in Cincinnat! was read, section by section, at this meeting and will soon be ready to present to the proper authorities, FLORENCE LAWRENCE NOT WITH POWERS. New York, May 16 (Special to The Billboard). Miss Fiorence Lawrence positively denies published reports to the effect that would appear in Powers’ films. Miss Lawrence wil) begin work shortly for an entirely new company of which H. Solter is the head. the sne L. POLAR REGION PICTURES. The Carnegie Alaska-Siberia motion pictures taken by Captain Kleinschmidt, the famous big game hunter, and recently shown at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and at the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, are being shown to the public for the first time at Mexine Elliott's Theatre, New York City. The engagement opened May 20 and is for a |imited period only. Seals, polar bears, walrus, moose and caribou in their native places, mountain sheep and flocks of Arctic birds are pictured on these films. MOTION PICTURE NOTES. The Walker Theatre, Los Angeles, Cal., which has which has a seating capacity of 1,000, will open September 1 as an exclusive feature film theatre, where only the best feature film productions will be shown at fixed prices of 10, 15 and 25 cents. Each feature film, or set of films, will be given a two weeks showing. Arrangements are now being made with producers of feature and state-right films to guarantee ten or more weeks in cities West of Denver and New Orleans and the Pacific Coast territory, the intention being to send these feature pictures to the different cities intact with a fully equipped corps of managers, agents, lecturers and operators, thus making each presentation first-class and perfect in every detail. Harry (H. M.) Scott, formerly with Drew and Campbell of Cleveland, 0. Harry Davis of Pittsburg and recently New York representative of the Mozart Circuit. 's representing the enterprise. The corporation !s made up of well-known theatrical promv'ers, who, in conjunction with the Walker Th. «tre. are forming a circuit of feature film, one olght and week stand theatres, already having enough to assure more than ten weeks, riot to September 1 the exterlor and interlor of the Walker Theatre will undergo many changes. and will also be rechristened with a mace name, while all employes, manager. press agent. superintendent, operator, etc., will be wom’ The great modern sewerage system, which * being constructed in Baltimore under Chief fF" gineer Calvin W. Hendrick, will be shown over the world on moving picture films. 17 pictures were taken last week. is gre (Continued on page 62.)