Variety (December 1907)

44 VARIETY THE NEW FILM ASSOCIATION Chicago, Dec. 9. At the Convention held in Pittsburg, Nov. 16-17, by the film renters of Amer- ica, it was unanimously decided to organ- ize as an association, for the protection of the dealers as well as the exhibitors, under the name of the United Film Ser- vice Protective Association. Wm. H. Swanson of Chicago has been elected president pro tern., and the elec- tion of officers will be in order at a gen- eral meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel, this city, to-day (Dec 14). The platform by which the United Film Service Protective Association will be gov- erned is indorsed by the film manufactur- ers, who have pledged support and co-op- eiation in the maintenance of the policy. The association proposes to encourage congeniality among the competitive deal- ers, as well as unison in the conduct of their affairs. It is also the intention to improve the grade of subjects put on the market by the manufacturers, and return Ruch film8 as are shop-worn and damaged. been obliged to contend with in the past. The association will have a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, and an executive board of nine. The in- itiation fee is $200 for every office or branch where films are sold or rented. The manufacturers have not been de- clared in as members, but will uphold and cooperate. The following are mem- bers of the association: CHICAGO. Chicago Film Exchange. Globe Film Exchange. Wm. H. Swanson & Co. Eugene Cline & Co. George K. Spoor & Co. Leaminle Film Service. Standard Film Exchange. Theatre Film Service. PITTSBURG. Pittsburg Calcium Light Co. Pennsylvania Film Exchange. Fort Pitt Film Supply Co. Duquesne Amusement Supply Co. HENTZ AND ZALLEE. Flora E. Ilentx and John U. Zallee are the Joint proprietors and managers of the Unique Theatre. Los Angeles, and are the pioneers of popular priced vaudeville In Southern California. Starting in an unpretentious way some eight years ago, their advance has been marked with success and they have been compelled to change their location several times in order to secure a greater capacity. They have now reached a point where an increased clientele makes another move imperative and plans are being drawn for a "Class A" structure, complete in every detail. bub-renting or duplicating of films by olher than association members will not be tolerated. Second hand material and decrepit sub- jects will be eliminated, and only the beat of the manufacturer's output will be pro- duced. Mr. Swanson and Eugene Cline, two of the leading advocates, are of the opinion that the association will not only improve and strengthen the film industry, but offer protection to all concerned. The object is to appoint competent and unbiased in- spectors to report on all subjects in order to avoid undesirable features, and their possibilities of adverse crirticism ex- hibitors will be protected against unjust ordinances, incompetent operators and many other inconveniences they have American Film Exchange. Columbia Film Exchange. NEW YORK. Alfred Harstn. Mills Bros. Alfred Weis Film Exchange. BUFFALO. Powers Machine and Film Exchange. COLUMBUS. Ohio Film Exchange. CLEVELAND. Cleveland Film Renting Co. DETROIT. National Film Co. Michigan Film and Supply Co. Detroit Film Exchange. CINCINNATI. Southern Film Exchange. Nolan Film Exchange. TOLEDO. Superior Film Supply Co. Toledo Film Exchange. Bailey Film Service. Birmingham Film Exchange. 01. T. Crawford Mfg. Co. of the house solemnly regarding a poster of Eltinge in his stage makeup. They looked first at the bill and then at the husky young American, the while arguing in their excited French fashion. He spent two hours making up the night of the opening, and it was days before the Marigny managers were brought to believe that he was the same man they had seen at the afternoon rehearsal. FLEMEN AND MILLER. Known as "The Knglish Americans." They are one of the Western acts that arrived in New York as strangers mid secured 35 weeks on the Keith Circuit after the first performance at Pastor's. They are original in tbelr methods and have one of the best dressed and neatest singing and talk ing acts to be found In the variety field. This season they are appearing in "Mr. Wise From Broadway," a two-act musical comedy exploited by "Tlie Kentucky Relies" Company. PHILADELPHIA. Kohl Film Ptg. Co. Kiectric Theatre Supply Co. The film manufacturers supporting the organization are: Kdison Mfg. Co. Yitagraph Co. of America. American Biograph Company, (.'eorge Melies. S. Lubin. Selig Polyscope Company. Kolein Company. Kleine Optical Company. Kssanay Film Co. Society Italian Cines. Williams, Brown & Earle. THE BEARDED AMERICAN BELLE. At the conclusion of his engagement at the Palace, London, Julian Eltinge took a three weeks' vacation in Switzerland pre- vious to his opening at the Folies Marigny in Paris, living the simple, razorless life close to nature. When he appeared at the theatre for rehearsal, his face was deco- rated with an adult moustache and a bru- nette stubble of beard. On his way through the lobby he heard a heated discussion between two of the directors, but secure in the possession of a "play or pay" contract, went about his business. Eltinge wore a light checked suit and with the tan of his vacation looked like a football centre rush more than an im- personator of the American belle. After rehearsal he walked out of the theatre, and the directors were standing in front STUNG! Sometimes they ask me where I got the surname of "Loney" and I tell 'era it's be- cause I have worked so long by "my lonely." If you know me, Loney Haskell doesn't sound very soubrettish, but it has caused a good deal of confusion as to my sex. I volunteered to play at an Elks' benefit in Boston not so long ago. On such occa- sions it is the custom to send a committee- man around to the theatre in a carriage to conduct the artist to his or her destina- tion with ceremony that is quite impos- ing. Following this graceful custom, a well known man about town presented nimself at the stage door and asked for "Miss Has- kell." O, but he was the grand-lookinij rounder. His evening clothes were posi- tively painful to behold in their exquisite fit and there was four dollars' worth of high art barber work visible above his collar. Also the expression of his face made a noise like an invitation to a lob- ster supper. When I shook hands with him he was still too stunned to return the grip. "O, hell," he gasped, "and for this I passed up a job on the reception committee with a responsible position in the bar." It was a pleasant ride to the hall. My escort did nothing but grumble to himself, murmuring from time to time with a pa- thetic although subdued sob in his throat, "Stung! and me, Boston's original Wise Old Man." Loney Hoakell.