Scanned from the collection of David Pierce Coordinated by the Media History Digital Library www. mediahistoryproj ect . org Funded by a donation from John McElwee # Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/exhibitorsherald09exhi_0 Vol. IX CHICAGO, DECEMBER 6, 1919 No. 24 ftiTinifiilifnTi in rtifiiyifttfiiTiniflift»riniiiiriiriiTiiTinirtifliMuiiAtA PUSHED WEEKLY MARTIN J. QU IGLEY , PUBLISHER ONE DOLLAR 417 SO. DEARBORN ST. Entered as second class matter, Augart jo. /0/7, ai •*« Post OMce at Chicago, 111., under the Act of March 3, it?o A YEAR iikor presents JVIARGUERITE, CLARK in LUCK IN PAWN SAY "UNCLE!" WITH everything pawned but her of romance. New scenes, new faces, new nerve she went a-sleuthing among charm, new plot. Built for all Margue- the elite, foiled some thieves, captured rite Clark lovers — that means big a lover, and found a mine of pure gold crowds — and all good story lovers be- in a pawnbroker with a soul. sides — that means S. R. 0. if you bill MARGUERITE CLARK in a new sort it big! Scenario by ALICE EYTON FAMOUS PLAYERS -LASKY CORPORATION ADOLPH ZUKORPro. JESSE LLASKYtto Pro CECIL B. DE MILLE Director General •-new • J l\j I Directed by WALTER EDWARDS MM Q>aramounfj4r^mft CPidure EXHIBITORS HERALD Sank this Ship? t When you were on the German U-boat shown m the BIGCEST NEWS SCOOP of YEARS Right out of the secret archives of the German Government — something never before shown on any screen — authentic moving pictures of the sinking of merchant vessels by German U-boats, the pictures having been taken by the German commanders to substantiate their reports to Berlin. While you are looking at these amazing pictures you will be, yourself, ON A GERMAN SUBMARINE. You will see the shots fired from your U-boat — See the ship careen and sink — see Captain and Mate go down with their vessel. This is the greatest scoop ever scored by any newspicture organization since the cinema was invented. Even in the newspaper world it has few equals. Needless to say, only the unbeatable enterprise of the great Interna- tional organization could have secured this tremendous attraction for your theatre. Scoops like this mean EXTRA MONEY IN YOUR POCKET. Be sure of them by book- ing the BIG NEWS THREE of the screen world right now — today. All the evidence that you want is right here on this page. ACT NOW. Scoop your competitors like we do. International News Universal Current Events Hearst News issued by International Released thru UN IVERSAL 3 EXHIBITORS HERALD It has always been &o source oP sincere pride that, in introducing new artists, my selections haye been received with cordial and critical appreciation. During the present season two names will be added t to the list of artists appearing* under my direct supervision. (j/r22 sponsoring DOUGLAS MAC LEANT £r> DORIS MAY I am Pu-Hy aware oPrny responsibility to the public and exhibitors, and I accept the hazard oP this nev venture with complete confidence in my judgment. T^hese young people possess the rare attributes oFyouth, charm and intellect; and 1 am giving them every aid I can command in good direction, skilled Support and stories by the best lyiovn authors. — ^ /~ ad. c^cfe EXHIBITORS HERALD ■Bnr 4* folOOO for the Firs t£ stories 23XHOURS LEAVE JSj^Mciry Rg£erts Qine£art MARYfe ANKLE what's your HUSBAND DOING? ^ George V. HoSaft SOME HONEYMOON jfy Cfiarles £\)er£arcLHall MR. AND MRS. NOT MARRIED EXHIBITORS HERALD EXHIBITORS HERALD PROCLAMATION N this. the season when the year's blessings are recognized, and a time is set aside for the giving of thanks, the week beginning Monday, November twenty fourth and ending Sunday November thirtieth is designated as an especial thanksgiving week for the exhibit tors of Fox Entertainments throughout the world - Though wars and calamities have en- gulfed the world , the exhibitors of Fox Entertainments have been conspicuously spared and their blessings have been continued even in greater measure than in normal times * Therefore, in a spirit of supreme thank- fulness and deep gratitude , we welcome you to a full and complete observance of each and every day of this Thanksgiving Week » Throw wide the doors of your theatres and invite your public to share with you in the celebration of each of the seven days » In the name of prosperity and of success we herewith affix our hand and seal * TresicLent FOX FILM CORPORATION 7 This EXHIBITORS HERALD Full Page FOX FILM WILLIAM K». fraiden* ronroRAiioN ghout the world typifies that ii elican. Jhicb we love to call ^ WThe story was wondeiiu It is M-^frgSen drama- fol excitement a »»« THE LAST ur NicHT. WOLVE >°\™H RANGER EXHIBITORS HERALD Advert i s ement is appearing" in the following nationally circulated magazines as a part of the Great- estls(ational> (ampaip^i ever engaged in by a Film Company* SATURDAY EVENING POST TOP NOTCH DETECTIVE POPULAR REGISTER PHOTOPLAY JOURNAL ALNSLEE'S SMITH'S AMERICAN FOX ENTERTAINMENTS EXHIBITORS HERALD EXHIBITORS HERALD FOX ENTERTAINMENTS presents MADLAINE TRAVERSE the empress of stormy emotion, in LOST MONEY o4 dramatic story of a, fight Jvr miiUovis ^DCrecbccL bu Edmund lawrence 1 EXHIBITORS HERALD EXHIBITORS HERALD 500. WILL BE PAID FOR THE BEST ANSWER TO THE WORLDS MOST PUZZLING QUESTION WHICH 1 s SEX EXHIBITORS HERALD WE'VE GOT or Go Idw ON December first, a Goldwyn advertisement will appear in three hundred and eighty-six newspapers. — a big advertisement — • And there will be one each succeeding week. Every advertisement will advertise a Goldwyn Picture that is actually being shown. Not only that — but Goldwyn will advertise Goldwyn Exhibitors. Thus the Goldwyn advertising will directly benefit the exhibitor and bring the crowds to the individual theatre to see a particular picture. Goldwyn has retained us to prepare this campaign. We are the people who for years have aided in the con- ception of the advertising of Colgate Co., Eastman Kodak Co., General Electric Co., Studebaker Cor- poration, etc., etc, FRANK SEAMAN, INCORPORATED Advertising and Merchandising 470 Fourth Avenue New York City EXHIBITORS HERALD AKE GOOD ays the Bills! Read the list. This is but part of it. There's not room to publish it all. And remember this is simply the first shot in the Goldwyn campaign. Boston Post Boston Herald and Traveler Boston American Boston Globe Baltimore News Baltimore Sun Baltimore Star and American Detroit News Detroit Free Press Detroit Journal Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles Examiner Los Angeles Express New York City Journal New York City Globe New York City Mail New York City Sun New York City World New York City Times Chicago Tribune Chicago News Chicago American Chicago Herald-Examiner Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Public Ledger Philadelphia North American Philadelphia Record San Francisco Call-Post San Francisco Bulletin San Francisco Examiner San Francisco Chronicle Jacksonville Times-Union Jacksonville Metropolis Birmingham News Birmingham Ledger Atlanta Journal Atlanta Georgian Atlanta Constitution Buffalo News Buffalo Courier and Enquirer Buffalo Times Rochester Times-Union Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Syracuse Journal Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Herald Davenport Times Davenport Democrat and Leader Dubuque Telegraph Dubuque Herald Clinton Advertiser Clinton Herald Keokuk Gate City Galesburg Republican Register Galesburg Mail Joliet Herald News Rockford Register Gazette Rockford Star Springfield State Register Springfield State Journal Decatur Review Decatur Herald Lafayette Journal Lafayette Courier Ft. Wayne News and Sentinel Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette South Bend Tribune South Bend News-Times Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee News Peoria Star Peoria Journal-Transcript Bloomington Pantagraph Cincinnati Post Cincinnati Times-Star Cincinnati Enquirer Dayton Journal- Herald Dayton News Springfield News Springfield Sun Indianapolis News Indianapolis Star Louisville Times Louisville Herald Louisville Post Cleveland Press Cleveland Plaindealer Columbus Dispatch Columbus Citizen Canton Repository Canton News Youngstown Vindicator Youngstown Telegram Toledo News-Bee Toledo Blade Akron Beacon-Journal Akron Times Denver Post Denver Rocky Mountain News Colorado Springs Gazette Colorado Springs Telegraph Pueblo Star-Journal Pueblo Chieftain Albuquerque Journal Santa Fe New Mexican Fall River Herald Fall River News Lowell Sun Lowell Courier Citizen Springfield Union Springfield Republican Springfield News Worcester Post Worcester Telegram Worcester Gazette Manchester Union-Leader Providence Bulletin Providence Tribune Portland Express Portland Press Omaha News Omaha World Herald Omaha Bee Des Moines Capital Des Moines Register Des Moines Tribune Sioux City Journal Sioux City Tribune Lincoln State Journal Lincoln Star Seattle Times Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle Star Spokane Spokesman-Review Spokane Chronicle Portland Oregonian Portland Oregon-Journal Portland Telegram Washington Star Washington Post Washington Times Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader Wilkes-Barre Record Trenton Times Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph Pittsburgh Post Pittsburgh Sun Duluth Herald Duluth News Tribune Dallas News Dallas Times-Herald Brooklyn Standard-Union Brooklyn Eagle Albany Times-Union Albany Knickerbocker Press St. Louis Globe-Democrat St Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis Star Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis News-Scimitar Lansing State Journal Grand Rapids Press Kansas City Times-Star Kansas City Post New Orleans Times-Picayune New Orleans Item Shreveport Times Jackson News Jackson Clarion Ledger Salt Lake City Tribune Salt Lake City Deseret News Salt Lake City Telegram Ogden Standard Ogden Examiner Boise City News Boise Idaho Statesman Missoula Missoulian-Sentinel Helena Independent Helena Record-Herald Great Falls Tribune Butte Post Butte Miner Butte Gazette Twin Falls News Twin Falls Times FRANK SEAMAN, INCORPORATED Advertising and Merchandising 470 Fourth Avenue New York City EXHIBITORS HERALD SAMUEL GOLDWYN Presents' MABEL NORMAN D directed by Victor Schertzinqer Mabel Normand in the most hilarious mirth- mixture that ever galloped across the screen — can you trump that for a water-tight, copper-riveted, steel-bound guarantee of box- office success? Of course you can't! 16 EXHIBITORS HERALD A circus from start to finish! A gale of giggles — a typhoon of titters — a hurricane of hilarity! Mabel Normand has never had a better picture — you have never had a better business - builder. Book it now! 17 EXHIBITORS HERALD 18 WHY THE CAPITOL BOOKED / I I 111 B ■ Supported bxj FLORENCE EVEEWST MARTIN an II THE U N DERCU RRENT II A WILFRID NORTH PRODUCTION ITS THE PUNCH PICTURE A Powerful D rama With a Theme as Engrossing as The Mystery of Life Itself. Action! ACTION!! ACTION!!! GUY EMPEY ii in THE UN HE RES YOUR LINK-UP Booksellers — department stores — public news-stands— libra- ries and scores of institutions are ready to lend their whole-hearted cooperation in the exploitation of Guy Empey in "The Under- current." The printed works of Guy Empey have found their way into millions of American homes and these same millions will rally to rugged romance. The new national weekly magazine published by Mr. Empey is enjoying a tre mendous sale in every nook and corner of the universe. Painted bulletins, half -sheet stands, heralds and nov- elty posters are blazing a trail that leads straight to your box- office. Supplementing the active cooperation of book stores and other merchants is the personal sevice extended by the Select exploitation experts in each Select branch throughout the country. "The Undercurrent" is loaded with money-making possibili- ties for the alert showmen. Follow the lead of New York's Capitol and increase your own capital for an extended run that will clean up — BIG SELECT PICTURES CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, President Millions of Readers are waiting for YOUR presentation of Guy Empey in "The Under- current. Cash in on the magic of advance interest by booking the product on that carries the popularity of a great American personage. ixTKcv Shako The S'himmy THE SHIMMY GYM You'll 9hake With Laughs it Cure Your Grouch CUCKOO COMEDIES ' Every One: 's A 5ir,d ' A GREAT 'TONIC FOR. ANY 8ILL UNITED S.A.Berst. PlCTU RE. THEATRES 0F AMERICA. InC President. EXHIBITORS HERALD "doin^ BIG over # THE PHENOMENAL SUCCEST OF THE EDITION De LUXE PRE-rCNTED BY CLA^-CoBN&UU^ C0RP0PATION 20 EXHIBITORS HERALD time IN THE LEADING THEATB&r IS" ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE MANAGERS OP TME Rialto, New York. Rivoli, New York. Loew's Metropolitan Circuit. Ascher Circuit, Chicago. Lubliner & Trinz Circuit, Chicago. Rubin & Finkelstein Circuit, Minneapolis. Madison (Kunsky), Detroit. Miles, Cleveland. Clark and Rowland Circuit, Pittsburgh. Shea's Hippodrome, Buffalo. Leader (Tom Moore), Washing- ton, D. C. Beacon, Boston. Strand, Cincinnati. Strand, Louisville. Jewel (Hulsey), San Antonio. Majestic, Jackson, Mich. Clemmer, Seattle. Casino, Des Moines. ARE DELIGHTED AND THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE LARGEST HOUSES PLAYING THE "CLASSICS" TO CAPACITY HIGH-CLASS AUDIENCES — Mf U ALLMAP^ PICT U PET 1* DISTRIBUTED EXHIBITORS HERALD Here He Is Again! THE ONE AND ONLY in his fourth and latest Million Dollar Comedy for First National "A Day's Pleasure" A LATE DECEMBER RELEASE Don't Let the Explosion of Laughs Shake Your House Down. Put Up Stays! A "First National" Attraction 22 EXHIBITORS HERALD The JVoman Tempted Me! This is the time-worn cry — as old as the Eden tree. But In Modern Society Is woman the temptress, baiting man with her beauty and alluring charms? Or does man tempt the woman with wealth and position to sell her soul in a loveless marriage? KatherineMiDonald The American Beauty presents the woman's side in this up-to-the-minute problem in "The Beauty Market A DRAMA OF SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK Adapted from "The Bleeders" By Margery Land May Directed by Colin Campbell A First National Produced by the Katherine Mac Donald Pictures Corp'n By arrangement with Attractions Distribut- ing Corp'n, B. P. Fineman, Prest. Attraction EXHIBITORS HERALD House Records 1 umble With "A Virtuous Vamp" Read what has been done by the Bankers and Merchants Theatres Co., which controls a large string of big theatres in Indiana, including the Orpheum, Fort Wayne, Liberty, Terre Haute, Murette and Murray, Richmond. Albert F. Brentlinger, the General Manager, says: "Constance Talmadge, in 'A Vir- tuous Vamp', is smashing records in our big chain of theatres. Miss Talmadge is a great drawing card, and we are having tremendous runs. She has become immensely popular and is growing more popular daily. Miss Talmadge proves herself a natural born comedienne, while the play is one of the most amusing and laughable comedies ever screened. Our patrons were highly pleased and are extravagant in their praise." A'Tirst National" Attraction 24 EXHIBITORS HERALD She's One of the Biggest Comers of the Screen. Are You Playing Her Pictures? Joseph M. Schenck Presents CONSTANCE TALMADGE 1 N "A Virtuous Vamp" Adapted by John Emerson and Anita Loos From Clyde Fitch's play "The Bachelor." Directed by David Kirkland Photographed by Oliver Marsh Willard Reineck, Technical Director 25 DIVIDENDS SELZNICK PICTURES National Advertising Campaign pays you dividends on our investment. It pays you divi- dends in the form of bigger business and greater prestige. In these days of high prices folks are buying even their entertainment with discrimination. SELZNICK PIC- TURES National Advertising Campaign is proving to more than fifty million people that in SELZNICK PIC- TURES they get their money's worth. That is why you get additional admissions every time you present a SELZNICK PICTURE. Look over the list used: Saturday Evening Post Ladies Home Journal Pictorial Review Red Book Country Gentleman Photoplay Magazine Green Book Motion Picture Magazine Picture Play Magazine Blue Book American Legion Weekly Theatre Programs Electric Signs Painted Boards 24-Sheet Boards Get Your Share of Dividends Now S^picturejP^ The Declaration of Satisfaction A REGULAR GIRL] by Frances Marian Edmand Goiildjn^ Direction -James YouTigj NEW YORK TIMES: "Anyone would expect a motion picture full of Elsie Janis to be full of snap and pep, bright and brisk, jolly and friendly from start to finish— and that's just what 'A Regular Girl' is." NEW YORK EVENING MAIL: "Caused the blood of the audience to bub- ble .... abounds with clever character bits." NEW YORK TRIBUNE: " 'A Regular Girl' is going to please every- NEW YORK HERALD: "Full of action and high spirits.' NEW YORK EVENING WORLD: "Elsie Janis appears perfectly natural as the heroine in 'A Regular Girl,' a bub- bling, fast-moving photoplay. NEW YORK EVENING TELEGRAM: "Everyone who watches the projection of 'A Regular Girl' agrees that Elsie Janis deserves the title." And These Are Only a Few of Many Made by Selznick - Distributed by Select s I S^pictureIP^ p Made btj Selznick Distributed bi^ Select in Pauline Phelps and Marion Short's RALPH INCE PRODUCTION s S^picturJP^ - Made bvj Selznick Distributed bvj Select Broken Melody h\] Ouida Ber^ere Direction — ^Jilli am P. S. Earlc OWEN MOORE P. G. Wodehou.s e 's Saturday Evening Post Story PICCADILLY JIM" Direction— Vesley Ruggles Made by Selzmck Distributed by Select. SEL^CTt^lPICTURES Joseph M SchencK presents HE ISLE ADAPTED BV JOHN EMERSON AND ANEEA LOOS Jbx\ Arthur Homblow Directed bi) Edward Jose A Powerful Story Colorfully Told The woman had good cause to hate all men — the man had reason for losing his belief in women. Both were cast on an iso- lated island, there to work out their destinies with God the only witness. _ SELECT PICTURES CORPORATION Lewis J. Selznick, President NATIONAL H3 PICTURES SOWING A WD REAPING Rational picture theatres, inc. is the ultimate harvest of a life- time of sin- cere service and good will toward men. It is the deserved reward of those who have reaped only as they have sown; a tribute to the creeds of an industry that flourishes fourth in the world of Big Business. From all corners of the Nation come indorsements and felicitations. Men of sound judgment learn as they live, heed 'as they need — and reap as they sow. National Picture Theatres, Inc., offers a new era of prosperity for you. "JUST A WIFE," from the powerful pen of Eugene Walter, is the first National Picture release. "BLIND YOUTH," adapted from the famous stage success by Lou Tellegen and Willard Mack, is next. Other celebrated plays of equal importance will fol- low at intervals designated by the Board of Directors. NATIONAL PICTURE THEATRES, INC. Lewis J. Selznick, President A CONTEST FOR MILLIONS Tke nation-wide campaign inaugurated by Robertson -Cole on "The Beloved Cheater" embraces a love-letter contest backed by advertising that will reach millions of Motion Picture Fans. The advertisement reproduced on this page w^hich will appear in Photoplay Magazine in the January issue ^ will be on the news stands throughout _*\et/T exploitation aid to the MOST UNUSUAL PHOTOPLAY ever produced, 'The Beloved Cheater" Communicate with the ROBERTSON -COLE EXCHANGE in your territory — do not delay in A Fvgjffve From flafriroooy ROBERTSON-COLE B^?F' WARNER'S BEST SO FAR An Exceptional Society Drama Is the unanimous verdict of all who have seen this latest photoplay of the most pol- ished actor on the screen today. It is a society drama with the star in a role similar to his famous characterization of "Alias Jimmy Valentine." Discriminating exhibitors who are carefully selecting the best for their patrons when they see this picture will understand why it is called: WARNER'S BEST SO FAR vailable at al ROBERTSON -COLE exchanges EXHIBITORS HERALD TELEGRAMS- TRANSATLANTIC , NEW YORK, M> {//My ■ * TELEPHONES'- BRYANT : 1574^1575-10461 Seventh Avenue, New lorhp To STATE RIGHT BUYERS The Trans- Atlantic Spectacular Production The Greater Glory is now NEARING COMPLETION This is undoubtedly THE greatest Box-Office Magnet ever offered Watch the Publicity 36 EXHIBITORS HERALD Arthur P. Beclc presents LEAH in The Capitol From the notable stage success fry AUGUSTUS THOMAS Directed by George Irving Third in the series of screened versions of the foremost American playwright's successes, "The Capitol" has the basic strength and dramatic punch of "As A Man Thinks. " The drama of a woman's fight for her honor and her husband. The story of a fugitive wife who returned to right the wrongs she had done and to trap a crafty plotter. Produced in Washington, D. C. at the seat of government, where ambition brought a beautiful girl to the brink of disaster. First prints are now being shipped to the branches for advance screenings or to be available for pre- release engagements. W. HODKINSON CORPORATION 527 Fifth Avenue. New York Gty Distributing through PATH£ Exchangr htarporaud EXHIBITORS HERALD Despite all the efforts of pro- ducers, not more than once a year do you get such a power- ful combination of star, story, title, author and director as the immediately forthcoming Robert Brunton presentation of J.Warren KERRIGAN B And His Own Company in The Lord Loves the Irish Directed with force by Ernest C. Warde From the story that means box- office luck. by MONTE M.KATTERJOHN Author of "The Flame of the Yu- kon," "Carmen of the Klondike," "Alaska" and a hundred other great successes of the screen. Ready for pre-release engagements throughout America early in De- cember and worth all the exploi- tation you can give iL LUCK /POD THE BOX / OPPICE. W. HODKINSON 00RP0RMT0N 527 fifth Avenue. New York City JhstribuOng- through PAlttfc Exchange, Incorporated EXHIBITORS HERALD Men Wanted NOW READY— "CINDERELLA AND THE MAGIC . SLIPPER" (4 reels) "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD" (5 reels) "TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" (5 reels) Featuring Zoe Rae and Dorphia Brown Zoe is eleven years of age, Dorphia four NOW BEING PREPARED— "HUMPTY DUMPTY" FUTURE RELEASES— "The Cow & the Moon" "Little Bo-Peep" "Cat and the Fiddle" "Old Mother Hubbard" "Puss and Boots" "Mother Goose" "Tom Thumb" "Little Jack Horner" and Others WHAT THEY ARE These pictures are a series of Fairy Stories, known the wide world over, in picture form. No pains have been spared, and no cost considered, to make these the best pictures humanly possible. The labora- tory work is exceptionally fine. The entire cast of each picture is made up of children ranging in age from 2 to 12 years of age. Natu- ral little actors and actresses they are ; nothing stagey or theatrical about them. The charm of the lr impersonations is irresistible. Some State Rights Buyer of out of the ordinary shrewd- ness is going to lay the foun- dation of a fine, healthy, growing business, with our co-operation. Theatres are not the only places showing motion pic- tures these days. Schools, Clubs, Societies, Lyceums, Community Centers, are all coming to the front and de- manding pictures of excep- tional value for their screens. One handicap they meet is the lack of sufficient pictures of a suitable nature. We have set about to help them overcome this handicap. And some game, far-seeing State Rights Buyer in each terri- tory is going to see the opportunity of a bigger, clean- er business, and seize it boldly. That is the man we want. WHOLESOME FILMS CO. New York Office . Executive Offices 729 Seventh Avenue 17 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago SCREENINGS AT YOUR CONVENIENCE 39 ^LARK-CORNELIUS Corporation, distribu- ters of motion pictures, announce the opening of a general brokerage business. The independent producer is offered the services of a staff of specialists in motion picture distribution — domestic and foreign. In connection therewith there will be maintained a state rights department. Rights have been acquired to a series of five reel features and one reel comedies which are now available to ter- ritorial buyers. President CLARK-CORNELIUS CORPORATION 1600 Broadway, New York rJ~WENTY single reel com- edies, hilariously funny, and originally clever, starring the engaging Miss Billie Rhodes, petite star of feature produc- tions are offered to state right buyers on a series basis. These pictures are certain mon- ey makers in every territory — they meet the tremendous de- mand of the independent mar- ket for short length subjects. Other series including five reel features and single reel com- edies will shortly be available to independent buyers. Address Inquiries to Territorial Rights Department CLARK-CORNELIUS CORPORATION 1600 Broadway New York City EXHIBITORS HERALD A SURE FIRE CHRISTIE SPECIAL A ROMAN SCANDAL With COLLEEN MOORE and a Feature Cast SPECIALS THAT ARE SPECIALS Distributed By CELEBRATED PLAYERS FILM CORP. 207 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111. A. H. BLANK ENTERPRISES Omaha, Neb. MIDWEST DISTRIBUTING CORP. Milwaukee, Wis. CRESCENT FILM CO. Kansas City, Mo. STANDARD FILM SERVICE Detroit, Mich., Cleveland and Cincinnati, O. 42 EXHIBITORS HERALD INDIANA, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN EXHIBITORS CASH IN WITH (HIMSELF) IN HIS GREATEST SUCCESSES "THE CHAMPION" "WORK" "JITNEY ELOPEMENT" 44 BY THE SEA" THE SURE-FIRE MONEY GETTER BEE HIVE FILM EXCHANGE COMPANY TOY BUILDING MILWAUKEE (R. C. CROPPER, Pres. and Gen. Manager) 207 SO. WABASH AVE. 109 W. MARYLAND ST. CHICAGO INDIANAPOLIS 43 EMERALD MOTION PICTURES PRESENTS DIRECTED BY Frederick J. Ireland FOR TERRITORIAL RIGHTS APPLY Cropper Distributing Corporation Z07 SO WABA5H AVE. CHICAGO. 44 EXHIBITORS HERALD > — > r55 COMING! HARRY CANE (The Hurricane of Comedy) A SERIES OF ONE REEL COMEDY THRILLERS State Right Now WRITE FAY FILMS CO R. F. FRY, Pres. 1707 NORTH CAMPBELL AVENUE CHICAGO, ILL. 45 TH5 KKW >QF* PUB T UBPARY 689658 A ASTOR, LENOX AN8 MARTIN J-QUIGLEY UOTlONAL FILMS G)RPORflri01 129 TMYENOeI NEW YORK, n y 48 Production of Motion Pictures On Business Basis HERE— Not Coming By Martin J. Quigley LOS ANGELES, NOV. 22 LOS ANGELES today, as the major producing center of the world, discloses a wealth of information of great interest and concern to exhibitors. Behind the vast artistic advance in motion pictures which is evident upon the screen there has been a truly wonderful advance in studio administration and all else that pertains strictly to the physical production of pictures. In pleasing contrast with the glib assertions of the uninformed, there is to be found in leading studios of the West Coast an efficiency in administration that would be a credit to a very much older industry and one which does not have to contend constantly with the mani- fold difficulties that face the maker of an art product such as a motion picture. Generally throughout the trade studio methods have long been the butt of facetious comment. To a supposed lack of business efficiency has been attributed vast wastes and ex- travagances. Studios have been credited with being the spendthrifts of the industry, passing on huge, unreasonable burdens to be shouldered by exhibitors in increased film rentals. An unbiased survey of California producing activities discloses that, regardless of what might have been the practices of an earlier day in the industry, the methods now widely in force are a great tribute to the executives who have developed them. To an extraordinary degree the money now being spent on motion picture production is actually carried forward into screen value. Every effort has been made in the direction of reducing to a minimum the gamble of picture-making. Pictures generally are coming to be the product of an organization and not an individual. This is making for a greater uniformity of merit and is eliminating through the conference of many viewpoints the many possible errors in judgment, inconsistencies and inaccuracies that are costly in money and in screen value. Just about the only factor in the present cost of pictures that does not show concretely upon the screen is the occasionally excessive time that is consumed in the actual production. Because of the extensive resources required in players' personnel, staff, equipment, etc., every additional hour runs up appreciably the cost of production. This is a factor that will always have to be contended with and just what is a reasonable length of time for the making of a certain scene, up to some common-sense limit, will remain a matter for debate. With a competent director, even these delays cannot be classed as wastes and extrava- gances although they entail a large additional cost. It is the nature of the busness that a creditable product is only yielded through the painstaking and expensive process of carefully making and re-making every scene and situation that finds a place in the finished production. Mr. George Loane Tucker is said to have exposed in excess of one hundred and eighty thou- sand feet of negative and consumed many months in the making of "The Miracle Man." Be- yond question, had Mr. Tucker been fixed to a comparatively short time limit, his picture would not have been the masterpiece that he eventually made it. * * * Every exhibitor is cognizant of and profits daily through the greatly improved standard of entertainment in motion pictures. But of almost equal significance is a fact that exhibitors generally are not aware of: That behind this artistic advance corresponding progress has been made in studio efficiency. An important consideration in this connection is that if this proper administration was not present, rentals would have long since topped the present schedules. It is none too early for exhibitors to realize that upon the screens of their theatres they are receiving an average product that is of tremendous value for the price paid. No good pur- pose is served in the prattle too frequently heard that the exhibitor, through the scale of rentals he is required to pay, is a victim of extravagance, wastes and loose methods that are alleged to prevail in studios. , An exhibitor may be no more willing to meet higher rentals when he awakes to a realiza- tion of studio and production conditions as they actually exist today — but he can do so more intelligently. 49 EXHIBITORS HERALD Arthur James presents: His Majesty, The Prince of Wales. * * * A. J. is far from a royalist but we under- stand he was very gracious to the distin- guished visitor, the visitor in turn letting it be known to the whole wide world that he enjoyed his visit to William Fox's Aca- demy of Music. ♦ j(t ♦ Tom Ince did permit the King of the Belgil'ms to look in on the Goldwyn stu- dios. As Will Rogers put it the Belgium monarch went through the Goldwyn plant so rapidly that Bull Montana could have doubled for him and no one would have noticed the difference. But all Arthur James did was to allow the others to work in the mob scene outside the Academy of Music. * * * Fred J. Herrington, all worked up over the ills of the business, stopped in Chicago this week en route to the West to continue his Paul Revere. When Adolph Zukor steps into Los Angeles it means a gathering of the clans in the Alexandria Hotel lobby. When A. Z. is in town everybody that's anybody in pictures just seems to sort of drop in to see what's going on. ♦ # ♦ According to the news Sid Grauman is going to answer Sam Rothapfel's entrance to Los Angeles by taking a fling at Roxy's old stamping ground — Broadway, N. Y. Everybody seems to be out after a circuit or chain. Before long you may hear of some of them asking to trade their chain for a life-line. * * * Eva Tan quay arrives in L. A. with a bang and the echo from exhibitors says, "I don't ." ♦ ♦ ♦ F. B. Warren, vice-president of the W. W. Hodkinson corporation, the man who is making "Gross" look like a new word for certain producers, made a hurried trip to Chicago over the past week-end. Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, made a brief visit to Chicago on his way to the West Coast. T. D. Bonniville, who was with the Division of Films in the capacity of Di- rector of Publicity and Advertising, has accepted the office of manager of publicity and New York representative of Grossman Pictures, Inc. Anita Loos, of the John Emerson-Anita Loos Productions, has submitted to a throat operation which will necessitate her retire- ment from active work for a brief period. * * * Douglas Fairbanks has engaged Carlyle R. Robinson as director of publicity and advertising for the Fairbanks organization. He has had a wide experience in motion pictures and recently returned from a trip to England with Sydney Chaplin. Mr. and -Mrs. Edgar Lewis left for Cali- fornia on Tuesday, November 25. Mr. Lewis expects to purchase an estate in Cali- fornia and make their permanent home there. He will produce his future produc- tions in the West. H. C. Cornelius is at present spending a vacation at his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will leave shortly after the first of the vear for the Pacific Coast. Arthur S. Hyman will leave for New York this week to assist in the formation of a new national distributing organization, made up of independent exchanges repre- senting every territory in the United States. Robert Anderson of Universal sailed for Nyborg, Denmark on Saturday. Carl E. Wallen of the International Film Service sailed for Europe on Tuesday en route to Turkey. * * * James Young who directed Norma Tal- madge in "A Daughter of Two Worlds" for the First National has left for California. Mary Pickford and her mother paid Chi- cago a brief visit Sunday, November 23, stopping over on her way to the West coast. JAZZ By G. S. C. Nominations in Order — Now is the time for some convincing gent to come forward and get the indus- try on the preferred list. 'Member fuel- less Mondays — no six day week for the pictures. The Lather of Fame — A convention of college women in our city voted to begin a campaign to purify the pictures. If they succeed in their object Ivory soap may be jarred from its pedestal. Another Heart Throb — One of the film companies this week took a "shot" of a dog's heart beating. Inside stuff, wot? Pome for the Week — A reformer is a funny bird He sets the world askew. But we can't think of an easier graft. We really can't, can you? Answers to Correspondents: Horace: No, Captain Perry's discov- ery of the North Pole was not produced in the films. The Cap'n wasn't sure he was going to discover it. May B. Yes, we agree with you.. If you write enough scenarios, sell enough of them and get enough for them, the venture will be profitable enough. Diplomatic Note — "Convention calls O'Brien back," reads a headline. Well, that's the only thing even a convention can safely call an Irishman. Booked Solid- Intervention again looms up as a pan- acea for what ails Mexico. We venture the prediction that if Villa is captured he will receive, like our lady murderers, a six weeks sentence in some popular vaudeville house. Sage Stuff— Now to serve a mandate on that 60 cents a pound Turkey. *~PHE RITCHEY poster[is different from all other motion picture posters because *• it is infinitely better. The reason for its superior quality lies in the fact that all the great poster artists and poster printers are members of this organization. Every piece of work turned out is a thing of individuality and distinction, — fine in its conception and brilliancy of color, — potent in its ticket selling qualities. When RITCHEY posters are not used money is lost. THE RITCHEY LITHOGRAPHING CORP. 406 W. 31st Street, New York Phone, Chelsea 8388 50 EXHIBITORS HERALD First National Exhibitors Circuit Effects Tremendous Expansion Two Allied Companies With Combined Capital of Sixteen Million Dollars Organized to Develop "Exhibitors Defense Committee Plan of 1920" Five Thousand Theatres Is the Ultimate Goal (By Wire to EXHIBITORS HERALD) NEW YORK, Nov. 25 — The elaborate expansion plans of the First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., recently undertaken, crystallized this week in the formation of two allied companies with a combined capital of sixteen million four hundred thousand dollars. The New companies are: ASSOCIATED FIRST NATIONAL THEATRES, INC.— Capital : $10,400,000. ASSOCIATED FIRST NATIONAL PICTURES, INC.— Capital : $6,000,000. The announcement covers one of the most important developments in the history of the in- dustry relative to the alignment of exhibiting interests. The story of the initial First National development may be summarized as follows : Crandall, owning and operating eight theatres in Washington, D. C, with several other large houses under construction, and Whitehurst, who owns six important theatres in Balti- more, have joined with Tom Moore of Washington in the ownership of the First National franchise in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The Mark-Strand company of New York, owning and operating a chain of twenty-seven theatres in New York state, has signed an agreement which makes the New York City Strand theatre and the New Mark-Strand theatre of Brooklyn members of what First National describes as "The Exhibitors' Defense Committee Plan of 1920." Exhibitors who have been members of the First National Exhibitors Circuit have signed contracts which make their respective theatre properties, totaling more than eight hundred theatres with which the members are credited with either owning outright or con- trolling, a part of the "Exhibitors' Defense Committee." IT IS OFFICIALLY STATED THAT THE ULTIMATE PLAN OF THE MOVE- MENT NOW UNDER WAY IS TO INCLUDE AT LEAST FIVE THOUSAND THEATRES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. Agreements for the joint ownership of the First National franchise between Moore, Cran- dall and Whitehurst were signed earlv this week in the home office of the First National in New York. To the present theatre strength of the First National Franchise in Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia in houses owned by Moore is added Cran- dall's properties in Washington which include the fol- lowing theatres : Metropolitan, 3,000 seats ; Knicker- bocker, 1,700 seats; Savoy, 1,500 seats; Apollo, 750 seats; Avenue and Grand, seating 1,000; Crandall's, seating 500, and Meader's, seating 500. Theatres owned in Baltimore by Whitehurst, who now has active interest in First National Franchise for territory, include Xew Theatre, with 2,000 seats; Garden, seating 2,500 ; Century, now being built, which will have capacity of 4,000; Parkway, with 1,100 seats; McHenry, with 1,000 seats; Peabody, seating 500. Century to Cost $2,000,000 The Century Theatre, it is said, will cost two million dollars when it is completed. In addition to these theatres Crandall has included in his properties the New Cumberland, now being con- structed, which will be one of the largest and most costly theatres in the south. Both Crandall and Whitehurst were in New York last week with Moore for the purpose of discussing final details of arrangement, which, under the new First National plan, now gives the franchise in the capitol territory theatre representation as strong as that which any other First National franchise has had in the past. Are Leaders In the South Crandall and Whitehurst have been among the fore- most Southern theatre operators, controlling chains of houses, who heretofore haye been independent of affilia- tion with any exhibitor cooperative concern. The announcement that the Mark-Strand company of New York has allied itself with First National's plan for expansion indicates that within a short time all of the theatres controlled by that concern will be included. The New York Strand has been known as a First National franchise house since the circuit was organ- ized two years ago. The Mark-Strand of Brooklyn 51 EXHIBITORS HERALD Transatlantic to Produce Film For State Right Distribution Super-Specials and Two-Reel Comedies to be Made For American and Foreign Distribution — Pur- chasing Staff Busy Reviewing opened a few weeks ago, has been showing First National releases with- out direct affiliation by franchise. Provides for First Runs These two theatres give the circuit adequate first run representation on Broadway. New York, and in down- town Brooklyn theatrical districts. The new plan of operation for First National, it is said, will include prac- tically every one of original exhibitor- owners of franchises on a basis which will give them a greater measure of independence than the}' have enjoyed in the past. It is admitted by members of the Exhibitors Defense Committee of the First National that more than a score of large and important theatre circuits not heretofore associated with it have declared their intention of signing for participation in new plan. Negotiations are now under way in practically every territory. Statement Is Issued "It must be remembered," reads a statement credited to a member of Ex- hibitors Defense Committee, "that final details of new plan wTere completed only a week ago. In fact, the 'warning' ad- vertisement which we published in the trade journals two weeks ago, was com- posed while members of the committee were still actively at work completing arrangements for putting the plan into effect. "For this reason it is pertinent to the rapidity with which the proposition is be- ing taken up that Crandall and Whitehurst and Mark Strand Company should so quickly give us permission to make pub- lic their action in endorsing the plan by joining in it. "With very few exceptions the Ex- hibitors Defense Committee has re- ceived inquiries from every important theatre owner in the country. It is a curious result of our advertisement that several hundred exhibitors in small, 'one-man' communities have written re- quests for detailed information." With the organization of the Trans- atlantic Film Company of America, Inc., Cibrario & Company, which has pre- viously devoted its efforts to the exploi- tation of American films on the Euro- pean market, has become an important factor in the American market. The newly organized company has entered the American distributing field, and in addition to purchasing features for distribution, has started the produc- tion of features and comedies. Louis Roach President Louis Roach, president of the organ- ization, combines with his statement of the forming of the new company the announcement of a super-special already on hand claimed to surpass anything in this line that has been offered the trade in years. Several thousand people took part in the production, it is stated, and arrangements are being made with one of the musical conductors of the Metro- politan Opera House to provide a suit- able score. To take charge of the production of two-reel comedies Dale Hanshaw has been engaged. His experience includes the staging of vaudeville acts for the United Booking Offices, associations with Metro and Goldwyn, "Healtho- grams," recently produced; and the Mac- Fadden physical culture films. Jay Strong, whose past connections include the J. Stuart Blackton and Fox organiza- tions, will act as assistant director. C. Y. Harrison, formerly associated with various motion picture enterprises, has been appointed American sales man- ager. His activities will cover the buying and selling of pictures intended for exhi- bition in this country. Many Productions Purchased The past several weeks have been spent in the reviewing of productions by the purchasing staff. With the widening of the market in view care was exercised to secure the best that was obtainable. Those that were purchased, and will be announced for sale in the near future, are said to be the best that the market affords. All of the company's products will be offered upon the state rights market. The same policy will govern both the purchased material and the original pro- ductions. What is called "a whirlwind campaign" is announced as about to be launched. This will be directed especially to state right buyers and independent exchange men, but will also aim to acquaint the trade in general with the nature of the company's products and the scope of its activities. Lewis J. Selznick Will Produce Plays For Speaking Stage NEW YORK, Nov. 25.— Lewis J. Selznick, president of the Select Pic- tures Corporation, has entered the legi- timate producing field. The name of the first play which will be produced by Mr. Selznick is "Buck- ing the Tiger," a melodramatic comedy by May Tully and Achmed Abdullah, adapted from Mr. Abdullah's novel of the same name. Rehearsals for the forthcoming pro- duction will be started this week and it is expected that the piece will have its Broadway premiere during the first or second week in January. "Bucking the Tiger" is in three acts and the locale is in Spokane, Wash. The story, briefly, deals with the attempt of a band of men to beat the high cost of living without working. Mr. Selznick's activities in the motion picture field extend to all parts of the civilized world and include Select Pic- tures Corporation, Selznick Pictures Corporation, . National Picture Theatres, Inc., Republic Distributing Corporation, Select Pictures, Ltd., of England, Select Pictures, Corporation, Ltd., of Canada, Select Pictures, Ltd., of Australia and Select Pictures Corporation of Contin- ental Europe, with branches in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. Sells Ottawa Theatre OTTAWA, ILL.— The Ruby Palace theatre, operated for the past ten years by E. P. Melburn, has been sold to Clarence Hartford, new to the business. A GROUP OF FIRST NATIONAL CELEBRITIES Henry Lrhrmaii, producer of the I.elirnian comedies, was host recently to a party of First National Exhibitors' circuit executives. The men in the group above (right to left) are Robert Iiieber, Nathan Asher, H. O. Schwalhe and Henry Lehman. 52 EXHIBITORS HERALD Distributors in Keen Competition For Alliance with Noted Directors Newly Formed Associated Producers Corporation Is Bombarded with Opportunities to Publish Produc- tions Through Existing Exchanges George Loane Tucker's Withdrawal Surprise (By Wire to EXHIBITORS HERALD) LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24. — From various distributors and distributing organizations propo- sitions are pouring in here directed to the Associated Producers Corporation. Distributors Seeking Alliance It has been learned authoritatively that practically every important distributing organization, has been in communication with the directors since the announcement of the new corporation and that the associated directors have been given an opportunity to decide upon almost any one of the existing channels of publication. Despite the offers of alliances the directors thus far have been standing by their original plan of bringing into existence their own distributing company, although it is known that certain elements in the combination are beginning to lean toward an arrangement with one of the exist- ing distributors. George Loane Tucker Withdraws It is learned that the original alignment of Ince, Neilan, Sennett, Tourneur, Dwan and Tucker already has been broken up by the deflection, temporary at least, of Tucker. Since the original agreement was entered into with the "Big Six" the fact was disclosed that the Mayflower Film Corporation, which holds a contract for the services of Tucker, had been absorbed by interests identical with or friendly to the Famous Players-Lasky corporation. It is not known whether or not this has actually had anything to do with the disappearance of the name of Tucker from the original "Big Six" list, but it is a fact that Tucker is not now being mentioned as a member of the combina- tion. Ince Issues Statement The following statement in which it may be noted the name of Tucker does not appear has just been issued offi- cially by Thomas H. Ince: Following the recent announce- ment of the association of five of the foremost motion picture pro- ducers rumors have been circu- lating of the connection of other interests with those originally mentioned, and rumors that cer- tain individuals and organizations are financing the associated pro- ducers. The Associated Producers, who are Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sen- nett, Maurice Tourneur, Allan Dwan and Marshall Neilan, an- nounced today that no other pro- ducing or distributing interests are in any way allied with them, nor are they being financed by any outside or individual capital. They want to make this plain to the exhibitors throughout the country because of several inac- curate reports which have found circulation. The Associated Producers are rapidly perfecting their plans and announce that they will shortly make a complete statement of them. In view of the deep and wide- spread interest which the original announcement caused it was not unexpected that further rumors should be set afloat. It is these rumors which the members of the new association wish to put at rest. No Explanation Offered When questioned regarding the de- flection of Tucker, one of the promi- nent directors concerned in the com- bination declared that this is not to be interpreted to mean that there has been any substantial change in the plans of the organization. He refused, how- ever, to explain the dropping out of Tucker. Shortly after the arrival here last week of Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players-Lasky corporation, he announced that his company had no plans relative to the directors' combina- tion and that he was present in Los Angeles merely on a periodic trip for the purpose of inspecting matters at the West Coast studios of the company. Schulberg with Zukor Nothing has been revealed relative to the activities of Walter Greene, re- cently resigned as vice president of Fa- mous Players, or of B. P. Schulberg, who has been here for some time. Mr. Schulberg recently resumed association with the Zukor interests. Sid Grauman Will Manage Theatre on Broadway for Lasky NEW YORK, Nov. 22.— Sid Grauman is to become director-general of the New York Theatre on Broadway, which was recently taken over by Famous Players- Lasky corporation, according to infor- mation disclosed here today. Mr. Grauman is one of the best known and most successful exhibitors in Amer- ica and has achieved a notable record with Grauman's theatre in Los Angeles. It has been known for some time that Mr. Grauman has aspired to the position of conducting a theatre on Broadway and from a report current here he is to be given such an opportunity. Mr. Grauman is now staging a lively contest in Los Angeles for exhibitor su- premacy against S. L. Rothapfel. who was recently imported by the Goldwyn Pictures corporation to conduct the Cali- fornia theatre in Los Angeles. 53 EXHIBITORS HERALD Lynch and Howard Interests Merged Big Combine Is ^Effected in Atlanta, Ga.— Company to Run Five Houses ATLANTA, Ga.— Deals have been closed through which four motion pic- ture theatres in Atlanta recently ac- quired by the S. A. Lynch interests will be merged with the new Howard Thea- tre which is now in the course of con- struction in Peachtree street and will be operated by a company now being formed with $1,000,000 capital stock, ac- cording to an announcement made Sat- urday night at the Lynch offices. Change Construction Plans Plans of construction of the new How- ard Theatre will be changed and when finished under the new plans this thea- tre will be the finest theatre south of Washington. Final details of the trans- action were closed between Mr. Lynch and Troup Howard, old Atlanta man, who will return to this city for his per- manent residence. Under the new arrangement the Lynch interests will continue to operate the Strand, Vaudette, Rialto and Forsyth theatres until the new Howard Theatre is finished. After the theatre is built the operation under the new corporation will begin. The new theatre will be con- structed jointly by the Lynch and How- ard interests and it will be even more elaborate and pretentious than first an- ticipated by reason of this consolidation. New Corporation Formed • It was announced that only the Lynch motion picture theatres in Atlanta are involved in the deal and that it does not affect the Lynch interests outside of At- lanta nor will it affect the vaudeville and legitimate shows in Atlanta. The How- ard Theatre in Macon and other cities outside of Atlanta are not included in the deal. The new corporation to operate the merged interests is being formed by ■King and Spalding of Atlanta, lawyers for the Lynch interests, and Gen. Walter A. Harris of Macon for the Howard in- terests. The corporation will be organ- ized under the laws of Georgia. Saenger Company Buys Meridian, Miss., Houses MERIDIAN, MISS.— The motion pic- ture theatres of Meridian, the beautiful Strand and Princess, the Alamo operated for colored people, and the lease to the old Elite will pass into the hands of new owners, December 1. Walter G. Hodges of Meridian and F. J. Hughes of Electric Mills have sold their properties to the Saenger Amuse- ment company of New Orleans. The consideration is said to have been ap- proximately $100,000. | New Neighborhood House COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.— The old Hoffman building, 2509 West Colorado avenue, has been leased by R. R. Chamberlain of Leoti, Kan., and will be converted into a motion picture theatre. It is the first neighborhood house in the west end. Harrison Adopts "$10,000 License'1 Theatre Ordinance HARRISON, N. J.— Any hopes that residents here have held over the pros- pects of having a motion picture theatre in this borough have been hopelessly buried. The town council adopted on its final reading an ordinance providing that a license of $10,000 would have to be paid by anyone who contemplated erecting a play house. The town no doubt will con- tinue to hold its record of being without a place of amusement. The ordinance, when introduced a few weeks ago, attracted nation wide at- tention and was the subject of editor- ials, news stories and jokes throughout the country. Explosive Inspector Will Become Censor COLUMBUS, OHIO— C. G. Wil- liams. Republican member of the state board of motion picture censors, whose term has expired, is slated for appoint- ment as special counsel in the attorney general's office, succeeding Charles Bell, who has resigned to enter the practice of law at Cleveland. Williams was ap- pointed on the censor board under the administration of former Governor Willis. J. S. Kinslow, United States explosive inspector, with offices in the Federal building, a Democrat, is expected to be named as Williams' successor on the censor board. The appointment is made by the state industrial commission. There are two other members of the censor board, Mrs. Maude Murray Mil- ler and Maurice Hague. 3,000-Seat Theatre For Louisville, Ky. LOUISVILLE, KY.— A new motion picture theatre which will have a seat- ing capacity of 3,000 will be erected on the site of the Majestic theatre and ad- joining property. It will retain the name Majestic and will be one of the most beautiful theatres in the South. The Majestic Theatre company has secured a fifty year lease on the prop- erty and will take possession January 1. The play house will be modeled after the New Capitol, New York. Max Goldberg Sells His Joliet Holdings JOLIET, TEL.— Max Goldberg has disposed of all of his Joliet property holdings and in the spring will move to Chicago to take active management of the Harper theatre, 53rd street and Har- per avenue, and the Beach theatre, Hyde Park boulevard and Harper avenue. The Chicago theatres owned by Mr. Goldberg are now under the manage- ment of his eldest son. Lew M. Gold- berg, who has been in the theatrical booking business in Chicago for the last eight years. Fox to Build Big Theatre in Bronx Million Dollar Playhouse to Be Added to Chain of Picture Houses NEW YORK.— William Fox, presi- dent of Fox Film Corporation, has pur- chased from the estate of Charles W. Tarbox the plot of ground on the south side of Tremont avenue between Wash- ington and Park avenues, the Bronx, and will build on it the largest theatre that borough of greater New York — which means also the largest theatre in Bronx County. The transaction represents an expendi- ture of almost $1,000,000. Work on the new playhouse will be started at once. Details were worked out by A. S. Kemp- ner, real estate representative of the Fox Theatrical Enterprises. Will Seat 3,500 This new addition to the Fox theatres, which now form a chain throughout the country, is to be one of the most elab- orate structures in which motion pictures are shown. Every known convenience for the comfort of the public is to be in- stalled. The seating capacity will be 3,500. There will be lounging rooms, smoking rooms, special comfort rooms for women patrons, rooms in which per- sons having appointments to meet and attend performances may wait for one another, and a creche, where babies will be cared for by licensed nurses while their parents are enjoying the show. The creche suggested itself to Mr. Fox from the fact that the Bronx now boasts of having more babies than any other borough of New York not even except- ing Brooklyn. The new $1,000,000 theatre will be Gre- cian in its architectural design, and will contain one balcony. The plans call for a sufficient number of exits to make it possible to empty the structure within three minutes if necessary. Carlson and Wiseman are the architects. Directly across the street from the site of the new playhouse is the Crotona Theatre, at Tremont and Park avenues, which is owned and operated by the Fox Theatrical Enterprises. ^unitiiiniiiiniiniiuiiimiiiininaiiuuuuujiiniiiiiiiiituiiuujiiuianniuiinuiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiii iiiimuniig I THANKS | 1 To EXHIBITORS HERALD: | | We have just noticed your j | issue of November 15, and | 3 desire to compliment you on | | this splendid publication. We j | believe that you are on the | | right track. With best wishes for your | | continued success, we beg to | | remain, Very truly yours, | METRO PICTURES COR- PORATION. | (Signed) B. F. Rosenburg, Branch Manager. § Salt Lake City. tniiinnniimiiniM 54 EXHIBITORS HERALD Marcus Loew May Build Big Theatre At Kansas City, Mo. KANSAS CITY, MO. — According to reports in theatrical circles here, Kan- sas City is to have the largest motion picture theatre between New York and Los Angeles. The report followed the visit here last week of Marcus Loew. owner of the largest string of theatres in America, and Eugene Zukor, son of Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Theatrical men who are in a position to know say that Loew and the elder Zukor are going to combine their inter- ests in a large motion picture produc- tion company to furnish pictures for the many Loew theatres throughout the country, and will build a number of new theatres. The house in Kansas City, they say, will be the first to be erected by the combination, and it will have a capacity of not less than 4,500. Just where the new theatre will be located has not been determined, these same men assert, but thej' believe Loew is figuring on a long time lease near Twelfth and Walnut streets. Carl Laemmle Will Completely Remodel Los Angeles Theatre LOS ANGELES, CAL.— Carl Laem- mle. president of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, wired from New York to Manager Arthur Wenzel of the Superba, instructing him to re- model the Superba extensively and to make elaborate improvements in the foyer and lobby. An attractive new marquise is included in the improve- ments ordered by the "Big U" head. "Make the Superba the classiest little theatre in America,' was the summary of Mr. Laemmle's telegrams, and that day Wenzel summoned a battalion of architects, marble manufacturers, con- tractors et cetera., for a conference. "We have so many big productions coming out I want to see them given the most elaborate presentation possible." the Universal chief wired his local man- ager. Seek to Keep Theatres 200 Feet From Church HOUSTON, TEX.— The city attorney is engaged in preparing and will present to the council in the near future an amendment to the present moving pic- ture ordinance providing that no moving picture house shall be allowed within 200 feet of any church or school. The circumstances that have led up to the changing are based, it seems, upon complaint made against a motion pic- ture house in the negro section of the town by the pastor of a negro church, who claims that the entertainments given there disturb his services. $60,000 Alma Theatre ALMA, MICH. — Ground has been broken here for a $60,000 motion picture theatre. TEN PERCENT WON'T DO All the fools in this business are not in the producing branch. United States government statistics reveal that only slightly more than ten per cent of the money received from the public through theatre box offices is passed on to the producers who are the creators of screen entertainment. In other words, ninety per cent of all admission prices is retained by the exhibitors for expenses — and profits. Any intelligent person, even though totally unfamiliar with recent developments within the industry, can see that for the producer this situation means either one of two things: He must place himself in a position to exact a greater amount than ten per cent of admission receipts — or he must eventually quit or be forced out of the business. The tendency of the first alternative is producer-owned theatres — a course over which no independent exhibitor who wants to remain in business can become very enthusiastic. The exhibitor who prides himself on his strategy in "sewing up" a town or a neighborhood is the big factor in pulling down rentals to a point where the average for the country is about ten per cent of receipts. This type of exhibitor will awake some day from his self-satisfied dream of power and find that he is opposed by vigorous competition, backed by a big national organization, and then more than likely he will have added to his troubles a new scale of rentals which will cause him to wonder if his little game really has been a success. In contrast to this type of exhibitor there is the other who do not feel that just because he happens to own the three theatres in his town that producers are going to invest brains and money in pictures and sell them to him at a loss. Up to the present time there are no interests or groups of interests that are actually driving at the goal of con- trolling and dominating the motion picture theatres of the country and thereby relieving present owners of their control. But there are interests that are going into territories determined to get a fair share of the money the public spends for pictures and who will buy or build threatres to do so. Just how far this movement is going to advance remains with the decision of exhibitors who, being without competi- tion, dictate the price of film rentals. It is up to the exhibiting branch of the industry to decide whether or not producers will be driven into the operation of theatres. This ninety-ten arrangement is a fool's game. Don't expect all the producers to continue to play it. Martin J. Quigley. 55 EXHIBITORS HERALD Jury Favors Mary Pickford in Wilkening Suit for $108,000 Refuses to Award Theatrical Agent Commission on Contract with Adolph Zukor— Universal Wins Important News Reel Case NEW YORK. — A verdict in favor of Mary Pickford, motion picture star, was returned by the jury to Supreme Court Justice M. Warley Platzek in the suit brought against the film actress by Mrs. Cora C. Wilkening for $108,000, which the latter alleged was due her for serv- ices rendered to the screen favorite in obtaining a contract from Adolph Zukor, head of the Famous Players-Lasky Cor- poration. The plaintiff said that Miss Pickford netted $1,000,000 on the contract and that the amount sued for was due her on commissions. The trial was the second of the same case, the former resulting in an award for Mrs. Wilkening, which was reversed on appeal and a new trial ordered. Universal- Wins Suit A decision of widespread interest to the entire motion picture industry and what is probably the first of its kind was given out November 21 by the Appellate division of the Supreme Court of New York City. The showing of motion pictures of current events, the court decided, can- not be enjoined by court order just be- cause some person in the picture objects to the exhibition of them. Under this finding the court dismissed the suit brought by Mrs. Grace Humiston, law- yer and investigator, against the Uni- versal Film Manufacturing Company for $50,000 damages and an injunction be- cause the defendant filmed her for the news weekly. Mrs. Humiston's action was based on pictures taken of her while she was en- gaged in the search for the body of a woman who had been murdered. The Supreme Court held that Mrs. Humiston had a cause of action, granted an injunction restraining the Universal company from showing the plaintiff in the films, awarded $145 costs to her, and ordered a jury to assess damages. Using Chicago City Hall for Billboard HARRY L. REICHENBACH, exploiter extraordinary for Clara Kimball Young, Harry Garson and the Equity Pictures Corporation, arrived in Chicago a few days ago to tell the town about a picture called "The Eyes of Youth" — and he did tell it loud and often. While looking about for a place for a sign he hit about the Municipal Building and decided that as it had never had a Reichenbach sign — or any other — on it before, it was about time to start. Also the fact that the City Hall is in the heart of the theatre district caused Harry to give it some preference. In order to avoid doing especial violence to the city's ordinances, Reichenbach placed stereopticons on adjacent buildings and reflected across streets and upon walls of the municipal edifice certain tidings about C. K. Y. and "The Eyes of Youth," as illustrated in the above photograph. In other odd moments while in Chicago Reichenbach put up a banner across State street at Madison street and also merci- lessly jammed the Chicago newspapers with photographs of Miss Young and stories. Appellate Court Reverses All these findings of the lower court were reversed by the Appellate division, which taxed Mrs. Humiston with the costs. Mrs. Humiston brought her suit under sections 50 and 51 of the civil rights law, prohibiting the use of a. per- son's name or picture without his or her written consent, for advertising purposes or for purposes of trade. Justice Smith, who wrote the majority in the Appellate division, said: "I am unable to see any practical dif- ference between the presentation of these current events in a motion picture film and in a newspaper. And when it is considered that under the plaintiff's in- terpretation of the statute the mention in any newspaper or motion picture film or any publication of any kind of a sin- gle name in connection with a public or private matter, without the written consent of ihe person named, is a mis- demeanor the court should be slow to in- terpret the act." Seena Owen Secured As Leading Lady in Owen Moore Feature Myron Selznick has engaged Seena Owen, one of the most beautiful and popular of screen stars, as leading lady for Owen Moore in his second Selznick picture, a comedy, "The* Woman Hater." Miss Owen made a special trip from Cal- ifornia, in order to appear in the Selz- nick picture. Immediately upon Miss Owen's ar- rival in New York rehearsals were begun on "The Woman Hater" under the direc- tion of Wesley Ruggles, and within a week the picture was well under way. Miss Owen's last picture made in the west was the leading role in the Maurice Tourneur production, "The Life Line." Director Ruggles declares, however, that she has a gift for high comedy and will make a wonderful foil for the happy-go-lucky Owen Moore in his lat- est character, that of a cynical youth, who thinks himself a hater of the fair sex and who ends by capitulating en- tirely to the fairest one of the lot. Sunday Theatre Is Forbidden in Caro Following Protest CARO, MICH.— The Caro Ministerial Association invoked the aid of a court injunction to prevent the Caro Temple theatre from opening Sundays. The in- junction was served the Saturday night before the advertised Sunday opening. C. H. Schukert, manager, issued a statement declaring that he believed the majority of the people in the city fav- ored Sunday opening but that he would abide by the decision of the courts. Will Build Studio LOS ANGELES.— The Paul Studios, Inc., is planning the erection of an in- dependent motion picture producing plant at a cost of approximately $1,500,- 000. The company is backed by South- ern California and New York capital. H. Holmes Paul is president of the com- pany and the studios will cover a twen- tv-acre tract. 56 EXHIBITORS HERALD Film Export Business in Crisis As Foreign Exchange Rate Drops Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Reported Tied Up In Foreign Banks— No Relief in Sight De- clare Men in Touch With Situation NEW YORK, Nov. 22. — After struggling desperately for months against the difficulty of the low rate of foreign exchange the film export business during the past week has been brought face to face with a critical situation. Fortunes Tied Up In Foreign Banks Due to the rate of exchange which has been constantly dropping foreign buyers have quit entirely forwarding remittances to New York and hun- dreds of thousands of dollars are tied up in foreign banks. An authority in the export field said today that from all indications this adverse condition is liable to continue indefinitely. JUNIOR KEID, The little son of William Wallace Kcid, Paramount-Arteralt star, who is appear- ing; in pictures with his father. Wallace Reid's Son To Appear in Film Youngster Will Have Part in Father's Latest Picture "The Bear Trap" For the first time on any screen, Wil- liam Wallace Reid, Jr., son of his dad, famous star of Paramount-Artcraft pic- tures, will make his appearance in "The Bear Trap," Will M. Ritchey's pictur- ized version of Byron Morgan's clever auto race story, a continuation of the adventures of Toodles Walden, et al, who appeared in "The Roaring Road." William Wallace, Jr., who is two and a half years of age, is to play Toodles Junior in the picture which Sam Woods is directing. Already he is giving indication of fol- lowing in his dad's footsteps; he takes to the camera like a duck to water; he isn't a bit shy and doesn't look into the lens. Great things may be expected of the youthful scion of the house of Reid for lie comes of talented parents, his mother also being a clever and popular star of the screen. Attend Capitol Theatre NEW YORK.— Two hundred mem- bers of the International Trade Confer- ence, representing Great Britain, Italy, France, Belgium and the United States, attended the performance at the Capitol Theatre, Saturday night. To Open in February EMPORIA, KAN.— The new Strand theatre, costing $40,000, will be ready for occupancy by February 1, according to H. A. McClure, vice president and man- ager of the Strand Theatre Corporation which has leased the building. The rate of exchange is always a vital matter in the export business and the disparity between the value of the dol- lar and foreign moneys now creates a condition against which exporters are powerless to operate. Pound Is Worth $3.99^ On November 20 the rate of exchange reached its lowest ebb and an English pound being worth exactly $3.99^2, which is the lowest point ever touched. French money made the tow record of 9.75 francs for $1.00 off 5 centimes as against a parity of 5. 18. 13 and Italian remittances climbed 13 centimes to 12.57 lire per $1.00 whereas in normal years 5.18.13 represents their value in the United States. The same falling off applies to Norway, Sweden, Den- mark. Hit by Censorship Laws Another knockout to the film export business is due to the fact that the Scandinavian countries have inaugur- ated a supreme board of censors from whom there is no appeal, and to pro- tect their own products they are so severe on American pictures that after a picture has passed their examiners, it is only fit for the scrap heap. Some of our most prominent exporters have complained bitterly about this condition. J. B. New Chaplin Print Reaches New York; Is Fourth of Series "A Day's Pleasure," Charlie Chaplin's fourth million-dollar production, made for distribution by the First National Exhibi- tors' Circuit, has been delivered to First National's executive offices. In this picture, for one of the few times since he has been on the screen, Chaplin appears as the father of two bouncing twins, the husband of a dimpled wife and the owner of a battered-and-bent automo- bile of popular make. The theme of the production follows closely on the thought that often a day of recreation is the hardest day of the week. Starting out in the family flivver Chap- lin undertakes a trip to the country. He gets no farther than a street intersection when what is declared to be one of the most ludicrous series of comedy incidents ever filmed takes place. The family journeys fourth to the river where it joins the merriment of an excur- sion. A rough voyage, a negro jazz band, hot buttered pop corn and typical _ iiar lie Chaplin fight are some of the incidents that make this angle of "A Day's Pleasure" one of extreme delight for an audience. pwunaiiiiniiiiiiniiuiiM 1 "Can't Be Done," Is Right ( To EXHIBITORS HERALD: Did not receive my copy of "Exhibitors Herald" this week. If my subscription has expired (which I believe it has not as it seems that just recently I O Kayed a bill to our main office for the ensuing year) send me a bill and I will forward check. How do you think I can hold my reputation as one of the livest exhibitors in the Northwest unless I receive your most valuable paper promptly every week? | Can't be done. I Very best wishes, | Very truly yours, | (Signed) BERT GOLDMAN, Manager, | New Princess Theatre, St. Paul, Minn. ^nmrnnmiimtiiiiiiiitii iiiiiinunitiiiiiiitni iiitiinnim nnmuti nifiiinniiiiniitniirifiiiinii imuniiiti nnnmiiimn nninhnnuminnniiimiii nlini nmm iiimnRiinfii niimif im innn rnnmnmnininitiininmiintii:i iiniinnmi^ 57 EXHIBITORS HERALD iiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiiii;>iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin>ini>^ Asks Place in Sun for Director Marshall Neilan Assails Practice of Sharing Directorial Honor With Producer To Exhibitors Herald : The long- suffering director has been subject to a certain type of abuse at the hands of various producers without being able to publicly defend himself and I think the time has arrived when someone should speak out. For some time it has been the prac- tice of the motion picture producer to take practically all the credit for the work of the director. Films are pro- claimed to the world as having been "cre- ated under the personal supervision" of a person who has had nothing to do with the actual production of the film. There are some exceptions, as in the case of Thomas H. Ince, where the man credited in such a manner deserves every bit of it. However, the abuse of various per- sons in this connection at the expense of the director is rapidly reaching a stage where some action is necessary to curb the personal ambitions of men who are endeavoring to satisfy their own vanity and at the same time establish their own name as a business asset at the expense of the director. As a specific example, permit me to call your attention to the page adver- tisement which appears in the Nov. 22d issue of your publication concerning "In Old Kentucky." In this advertisement it is prominently announced that the film was "created under the personal su- pervision of" the owner of the picture. As a matter of fact, "In Old Kentucky" was supervised and directed in its en- tirety by the undersigned with the same producing staff as that which assisted him in the production of "Daddy Long Legs," "The' Unpardonable Sin" and other films. It is not my desire to seek personal publicity in connection with "In Old Kentucky." The picture has not as yet been released and its success is still a matter of the future and not of fact. Nor is this letter the result of a temperamen- tal outburst. The instance of "In Old Kentucky" merely accents in my mind the unfair- ness of this practice and I think some- thing should be done to compel those guilty to realize the fact that they can- not continue the abuse. Thanking you in advance for your consideration, I am, Sincerely, (Signed) Marshall Neilan. Sunday Lid at Clarion CLARION, IA.— The motion picture show which has been running for a few Sundays has been halted by the city council, which passed a city ordinance prohibiting Sunday amusements. The measure also means the end of Sunday baseball here. Ouida Bergere Stricken Ouida Bergere, who has written and adapted many stories for the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, is under the care of Dr. Joseph Darwin Nagel at the Pennsylvania Hotel for a complication of ailments. HOW CHICAGO REGARDS ELSIE JANIS OSCAR A. PRICE, President of the "Big Four," Who Is Be- ing Mentioned as a Possible Choice of President Wilson for Secretary of the Treasury. Suggest Oscar Price as Secretary of Treasury Oscar A. Price, president of United Artists Corporation, was the recipient of a much envied honor during the past week, when he was notified at his New York office that he had been suggested and hundreds of his friends were work- ing in his behalf, for the position of Secretary of the United States treasury, which position was made vacant by the resignation of Carter Glass, who accept- ed the appointment of Governor Davis of Virginia, making him senator, to suc- ceed the late Senator Thomas Staples Martin. Buy English Feature NEW YORK.— The British American Picture Finance Corporation has pur- chased the world's rights to "Carmen of the North," in which Anna Bos is the star. Frank Hall will handle the distribution. Miss Bos is an English actress who has never before been seen in America. To State Right Comedies NEW YORK— Film Specials will have two two-reel comedies, "The Nut Cracker" featuring Ben Turpin and "Neptune's Step Daughter" featuring Gertrude Selby, ready for state right publication December 1. The brand name will be Jolly Comedies. The "Welcome" sign strung across State street by the boys of the Second Division in tribute to their favorite star. Incidentally, Select secured invaluable advertising for "A Regular Girl," Miss Janis' first Selanick production. Fight Theatre Tax LOS ANGELES, CAL.— Local exhibi- tors are fighting a proposed revision of the theatre tax, which it is declared calls for increases of from 50 to 300 per cent, and will result in a higher tax on motion picture theatres than on vaudeville houses. 58 EXHIBITORS HERALD United Picture Theatres Holding Elections in Various Territories President J. A. Berst Receives Telegrams Pledging Support for Bigger and Stronger Organiza- tion— Well Known Men Directors The Winner Enthusiastic reports are coming in to the home office of the United Picture Theatres of America as regards the first meetings held for the election of local boards of trade and a director to rep- resent each territory on the national board of directors of United. President J. A. Berst has received nu- merous telegrams all of which speak in complimentary terms of the manner in which his plan has been started and the whole-hearted way that exhibitors are backing up and working to make United bigger and stronger than ever. Many Meetings Are Held Up to the time of going to press, meetings had been held in Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cincinnati and Cleveland. In the Phila- delphia territory, Frank Hill of Reading was elected permanent chairman with L. J. Chamberlain of Shamokin and Harry Savage of Atlantic City as mem- bers of the local board. Tittsburg elected Charles Feinler of Wheeling, W. Va., Mr. George Panagatocos of Johnstown, C. N. McClosky of Union- town and Mr. Michael Rosenbloom of Charleroi. At the Boston meeting W. C. Hart- ford of Pawtucket, R. I., owner of the Imperial Theatre and one of New Eng- land's best known film men, was elected chairman with F. A. Smith of Lynn and Victor Morris of Boston. Mr. Smith is one of the officials of the Waldorf Com- pany, having large theatre, restaurant and realty holdings, while Mr. Morris is general manager of Loew's Orpheum and has supervision over other theatres. Honor Fred Schaefer. Fred Schaeffer of the Chrystal Thea- tre, Chicago, was elected at the meeting held at Morrison Hotel, Chicago, with George Hines, Auditorium Theatre of South Bend, Ind., and Fred Seegert of the Regent Theatre, Milwaukee, Wis. Cincinnati, Ohio, will have as their leader J. W. Weining of the Western Plaza Theatre, while Cleveland fran- chise holders elected George J. Schade of the Schade Theatre, Sandusky, Ohio. In the New York territory, the follow- ing well known exhibitors were elected: Gustav Koenigswald of Brooklyn, Louis Rosenthal, who operates theatres in Newark and Passaic; H. Gainsboro, owner of two theatres in Flushing, L. I.; Harry Hall of Troy, N. Y., and Leo Brecher of New York City. James P. Harris was elected chairman of the local board for the Pittsburg territory. Support Is Pledged From Minneapolis came the following telegram: "Meeting of Northwestern United Ex- hibitors held at Dyckman Hotel today. Exhibitors elected J. L. Maitland chair- man of meeting and Anton Gilles secre- tary. Elected P. W. Myers of Minot, N. Dak., director from Minneapolis ter- ritory. Very- harmonious meeting with all exhibitors extending their hearty sup- port to you. Signed P. W. Myers, Di- rected Elect." Messrs. Schaeffer, Hines and Seegert Wired from Chicago that 280 franchise holders voted to extend their hearty sup- port to United. Sam Kasse of the Empress Theatre, Akron, Ohio, acting as temporary chair- man of the Cleveland meeting, wired Mr. Berst as follows: "Accept our heartiest congratulations in your earnest efforts to put United on the top. Can assure you that you have hearty co-operatio-n of every franchise holder in this territory toward the goal which you are striving to achieve. Meet- ing held today was wonderful success and everybody roused to a point where they can see nothing but good cheer ahead. George Schade unanimously elected director from this territory." Winner of Selznick Contest to Be Given Trial Before Camera Under the decision of the judges in the Olive Thomas beauty contest staged in Baltimore last week by Howard E. Greene, exploitation representative for Select Pictures Corporation, Washing- ton branch. Miss Victoria R. Groom was declared the winner. The contest was conducted through the columns of the Baltimore News by Norman Clark, the dramatic editor, and managed by Mr. Greene with the help of Bernard Depkin, Jr., manager of the Parkway theatre where Miss Thomas' third Selznick picture, "The Glorious Lady," was shown. The contest attracted wide attention and Miss Groom was declared by per- sonal acquaintances of Miss Thomas to be almost a perfect portrait "double" for the beautiful Selznick star. She was awarded the Myron Selznick trophy, a handsome silver vanity case of the new- est style, suitably engraved. Miss Groom and her mother, Mrs. Clifford Groom, came up to New York immediately and the beauty contest win- ner was photographed with Miss Thomas at the Selznick Fort Lee studios. Miss Groom will probably be given a trial role in a forthcoming Selznick produc- tion. Lucy Cotton Is Signed By International Film Lucy Cotton, favorite of the screen and stage, who appeared for two years in the Broadway success, "Turn to the Right," and scored last year in "Up in Mabel's Room," has signed a long term contract with the International Film Company and will play leading roles in Cosmopolitan Productions, filmed after the stories of authors, the screen rights of which are owned by the Hearst publications. 59 D. S. DAVIDSOX Of the Cleveland Branch of Pox Films, who won the Mutt and Jeff loving cup. McLaughlin Production May Have Broadway Run Negotiations are under way which, if successful, will insure a Broadway show- ing for "The House Without Children," Robert McLaughlin's play produced by the Argus Enterprises. Inasmuch as "The Pearl of Great Price" and "The Fires of Spring," both McLaughlin plays, are in course of preparation for presentation upon the speaking stage in New York it is felt that there is an ex- cellent chance of obtaining a theatre in which to exhibit the film production. The Gaity theatre was contracted for and two machines installed for the pres- entation of the picture during the re- cent actors' strike, but a ruling that theatres of this nature might not be used for film purposes made that opening im- possible. It is stated that the present situation in legitimate circles greatly favors the acquisition of a theatre for screen purposes. "Plans of Man" Chosen As Owen Moore Vehicle "Plans of Men," by Lewis Allen Browne, has been selected as the second starring vehicle for Owen Moore upon the Selznick schedule, according to an- nouncement issued by Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures Corp. "Piccadilly Jim," P. G. Wodehouse's Saturday Evening Post story, is the first Owen Moore feature to be distributed by Select. It is scheduled for November publication. Lewis Allen Browne, author of the second Moore picture, wrote "Please Get Married," a well known stage play recently picturized by Screen Classics with Viola Dana in the leading role. EXHIBITORS HERALD Goldwyn Opens National Newspaper Advertising Campaign December 1 Twenty-Two Press and Service Representatives to Co-Operate in Drive Using Most Important Dailies Throughout Country Everything is set for Goldwyn's great national newspaper advertising cam- paign. The first gun will be fired on Monday, December 1, with display ad- vertisements appearing in many of the country's leading newspapers. There- after Goldwyn copy will be kept con- stantly before the eyes of millions of readers. Details concerning Goldwyn's cam- paign in the most important daily pub- lications in the principal cities and towns in all parts of America are par- ticularly interesting. They reveal how far sound business methods have come to be applied to the motion picture in- dustry, which too frequently heretofore has been haphazard in its advertising. Press Representatives Co-operate Genuine "service" advertising aimed to benefit every exhibitor showing Goldwyn Pictures, is the objective of the cam- paign, planned and executed by the Sea- man Advertising Agency, Inc., and Ralph Block, director of advertising and publicity for Goldwyn. The plan, as it is being placed in operation, is made feasible through the co-operation of Goldwyn's twenty-two press and service representatives located in the various exchanges. These men will play an im- portant part in the actual placing of the advertisements and in tieing them up with local exhibitors. Every exchange is supplied with a complete set of the electros prepared for all Goldwyn Pictures, and with a list of 'he newspapers selected by Goldwyn to carry to copy that in each instance ad- vertises a Goldwyn star, a Goldwyn pic- ture and leaves space for the insertion of the name of the theatre at which the film will be shown and the date of the presentation. When a production is booked in a certain town, the newspaper advertising will be launched at that time and in a way that will bring the greatest imme- diate benefit to the exhibitor showing the picture. Instead of confining the ad- vertising to the paper that can be ex- pected to reach only a part of the com- munity, every important daily in that section will carry the display copy. Expect to Reach 30,000,000 The Goldwyn plan, that is unique and marks an important step forward in giv- ing the theatre manager real co-opera- tion in bringing his house to the atten- tion of the public, has the great advan- tage of timeliness. The combined circu- lation of the newspapers on the list to carry the copy during coming months, indicates a reading public of over thirty million, and this audience will be told just where and when the Goldwyn pic tures being advertised may be seen. This is direct advertising in which there is no wasted appeal. Charles Irving Fletcher, known as a writer of forceful advertising is country- wide, has prepared distinctive copy, bringing out the salient points of each Goldwyn picture in a manner expected to catch the attention and arouse the in- terest of the average newspaper reader. The text and tone of the advertisements is in keeping with the aim of the Gold- wyn Corporation to establish its product as typifying "the highest point in artistic photoplay production." "The Copperhead" With Barry more Completed The filming of "The Copperhead," adapted by Charles Maigne from the play by Augustus Thomas, with Lionel Barry- more in the stellar role, has been com- pleted at the Fifty-sixth Street Studio of the Famous Lasky-Players Corporation. This is the biggest picture ev:r made in the East. At present the picture contains 400 scenes and when it is released as a Para- mount-Artcraft special production, it will probably run eight reels. Mr. Maigne, who adapted and directed the production, is busy cutting it, after which he will go to California to film "The Fighting Chance," by Robert W. Chambers. BUCK JONES Who has been signed to star In n series of thrillers for Willinm Fox. Semon Comedy Shown At Capitol Theatre "The Head Waiter," the Vitagraph comedy starring Larry Semon, which is scheduled for publication early in De- cember, was given a pre-publication showing at the Capitol theatre, New York, during the week of November 23. "Dew Drop Inn," Larry Semon's last previous contribution to the Vitagraph schedule, was used in like manner by the Rialto theatre, also on Broadway. Con- siderable gratification is felt by the spon- sors for the comedies because of their use in these and other nationally prom- inent houses. 60 JOSIE SEDGWICK As Rose Hardy in the Goldwyn picture "Jubilo," featuring Will Rogers. Change in Mail Code To Benefit Industry National Association Sees Ad- vantage in Proposed Amendments to Act The National Association of the Mo- tion Picture Industry is in receipt of advices from its Washington represen- tative to the effect that the Senate Post Office Committee has acted favorably upon the Steenerson bill, known as H. R. 6951, which authorizes the return to the sender, or the forwarding of unde- Iiverable second, third and fourth class mail matter. Congressman Explains Bill Congressman Halver Steenerson of the bill in the house, explained the bill in debate as follows: "There are two kinds of mail matter contemplated in the bill. The first is fourth-class matter of a perishable nat- ure and of obvious value. It may be forwarded to another post office or, if undeliverable, returned to the sender, charged with the forwarding or return postage. "The second provision would cover second, third and fourth class matter, including catalogues, and authorizes the forwarding or return of such matter, charged with forwarding or return post- age, provided the sender when he sent it originally placed on it a pledge to pay postage due in case it is forwarded or returned." Is Given Active Support The bill had the active support of Senator Charles E. Townsend of Michi- gan, the chairman, and Senator David I. Walsh of Massachusetts, a member of the Post Office Committee. It is obvious that under its first pro- vision this bill will be of great benefit to motion picture companies. It is thought that its eventual enactment into law is assured by the action of the Com- mittee on Post offices. EXHIBITORS HERALD Wm. Fox Entertains Prince of Wales Heir to English Throne Is the Guest of Film Magnate at Brilliant Reception Held In Famous Old Academy of Music in New York November 19 — Leaders in Social and Business Life of Nation Assembled At Historic Function In historic surroundings the Prince of Wales, on Wednesday, November 19, was entertained as the guest of William Fox, president of Fox Film Corporation, at the famous old Academy of Music in New York, where his grandfather the late Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, was feted by the city in 1860. War heroes and persons prominent in social and business life filled the Acad- emy. They cheered the Prince to the echo as he entered the famous structure; they cheered him as he walked into the royal box, escorted by Mr. Fox, they cheered him after he had made a brief speech there; and they cheered him as he left the building. The event was one that will be long remembered; it will oc- cupy a conspicuous place in the history of New York. Prince Enjoys Function The best feature of it all was that the Prince enjoyed himself thoroughly. He laughed at and applauded motion pic- tures and he appeared to take a keen in- terest in pictures of himself which were screened in a special showing made by Fox News, the animated screen news- paper and magazine. Sitting in the Academy were eighteen venerable men and women who attended the ball given to the then Prince of Wales in the same building in 1860. They were young folks in those days, and for one afternoon they became "young folks" again. They smiled and waved at the Prince. They laughed at the pictures. They had the time of times. Spends Hour Seeing Films For more than an hour the Prince watched the special screen showings of humorous pictures arranged at his re- quest, and it was remarked by those in his suite that he had not laughed so heartily since his arrival in this country. Mr. Fox occupying a chair at the left of His Royal Highness was called on to answer many questions regarding motion pictures, their past, present and future. In these questions the Prince showed that he is an earnest thinker and takes a deep interest in industrial matters. The Academy was tastefully decorated for the occasion by John Zanfft, who with Manager Wuertz. had charge of the program. In the foyer were three large oil paintings of the late Edward VII, King George V and the present Prince of Wales Flowers and potted plants also were in the foyer. The royal box was draped with the colors of the United States and Great Britain, and the famous three feathers of the Prince of Wales formed an added decoration. Flags Add Color to Scene Over the stage was a cluster of Brit- ish and American flags which were pleasingly illuminated. The front part of the "pit" was given over to war heroes, and behind them sat the old folks who attended the 1860 ball in the Acad- emy, and specially invited guests. The royal box was the first on the left, while that on the right was reserved for the family of Mr. Fox. In the other boxes were prominent New Yorkers, city offi- cials and members of the Mayor's Com- mittee of Welcome to distinguished guests. Crowds began gathering outside the building at noon. Admission was by in- vitation only. By l o'clock a line stretched along Fourteenth street almost to Third avenue, although the reception was set for 2 o'clock. One hundred and fifty policemen established lines in Irving Place between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. This was because the Prince was to enter the Academy from Irving Place. Spectacle Is Brilliant One Opposite this entrance was the United States Navy Recruiting Band and ranged on each side, from the doorway to the street, was a detachment of Marines from the battleship Pennsylvania, under Lieut. W. V. Jewett. Within the Academy was the Police Band, a splendid musical organization, which entertained the early arrivals. First of the guests of honor to reach the building were sixteen young society women, dressed in hoopskirts — the style that prevailed when the famous ball of 1860 was given. Shortly before 2 o'clock the Seventh Regiment, including members of the 27th Division who fought with the English, reached the Academy, headed by Major- General Daniel Appleton and Col. Wade Hampton Hayes. The men, presenting an appearance that was most soldierly in every respect, filed into the Academy and found seats in the orchestra. Prince Arrives on Schedule Next came the Royal Air Force, headed by Scottish bagpipers. They had paraded to the Academy from uptown. Promptly at 2:15 the Prince was driven up to the Irving Place entrance in an automobile. The waiting crowds gave him a great cheer and as His Royal Highness stepped from the car the Navy band "unruffled" four ruffles and then played The King. During the playing the Prince stood at salute. THE GUEST OF HONOR PRESENTED TO HIS HOST AYilliam Fox and His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, Snapped by the Camera Just ns They Are Shaking Hands at the Famons Old Academy of Music. 61 EXHIBITORS HERALD When it was finished his attendants tried to usher him into the Academy, but he willed otherwise. He wanted to tell the commanding officer of the Marines what he thought of them, so he walked over to Lieut. W. V. Jewett, ex- tended his hand, and said: "I want to compliment you on the ap- pearance of your men." Then he en- tered the structure which his grand- father had entered 59 years before. Presented to William Fox Col. Norman Thwaites, of the British Mission, who was escorting His Royal Highness then led him forward and pre- sented William Fox. "Glad to meet you," said the Prince. 'What a splendid place this is." With appropriate words Mr. Fox welcomed His Royal Highness and then ushered him to the Royal Box. When the Prince reached there the special orchestra which had replaced the Police Band, played eight bars of "The King" and eight bars of "The Star Spangled Banner." Afterward the Prince sat in a chair which was occupied by his grandfather in the Academy in 1860. It was a large chair with arms, upholstered with purple plush, and was in striking contrast to the modern gold chairs in the box. Displays Democratic Spirit Probably because of his fine spirit of democracy, which made his grandfather so popular, the Prince occupied the large chair only a few moments, then arose and ordered it taken from the box, while he sat in a chair similar to those occu- pied by members of his suite. Mr. Fox was in a chair at the left of His Royal Highness. Then began the showing of pictures, and incidentally it was the first . //, {*>//,»////,, / /* * /r ■ JA.,.,f„„// .Vtr,,/?,,,/,,,, Facsimile of the admission cards which were issued for William Fox's reception to the Prince of Wales. poration was asked as to the nature of the conversation, he said that much of it related to motion pictures and that, hav- ing acted as host, he did not feel at liberty to relate it. At the conclusion of the performance someone gave the cry: "Three Cheers for the Prince of Wales!" The cheers were given with the utmost enthusiasm and were followed by a "Tiger." The Prince responded with a speech in which he thanked the audience for the recep- tion they had given him, and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon's entertainment. He then bade good bye to Mr. Fox and left the Royal Box. Arthur James in Charge Details of the entertainment at the Academy were in charge of Arthur James, of Fox Film Corporation. Invi- tations were sent out to more than 2,200 persons. All guests were selected by Mr. Fox, Winfield R. Sheehan, General Manager of Fox Film Corporation, and Mr. James in cooperation with the British Mission, of which Col. Norman Thwaites is the director. Col. Thwaites was enthusiastic over the manner in which the reception was carried out, and he conveyed to Mr. Fox, through Mr. James, the thanks of the Prince and also word of his keen enjoyment of the affair. One of the features of the reception was the presence of members of Fox Film Corporation who saw service dur- ing the war. Among these were Lieu- tenant Commander Wells Hawks, late of the United States Navy; Captain Merritt Crawford, of the Machine Gun Company of the Seventh Regiment; Captain J. M. Loughborough, who served overseas with the 77th Division; Captain L. A. Pollock, Lieutenant W. H. Cook; Don E. Hancock, who served with the Canadian forces; Eugene O'Brien, who was with the 107th Regiment, and Louis Klopsch, who fought with the famous old 69th Regiment. 62 Select Organization Will Be Enlarged Sam E. Morris Announces Many Changes Are Under Way In His Departments In a very few weeks the Select organi- zation will be greatly enlarged and or- ganized on ?. more extensive plan, ac- cording to General -Manager Sam E. Morris, of Select Pictures Corporation. Many changes are under way, the most important being the removal of the New York exchange, of which Henry Siegel is the manager, from its present location at 729 Seventh Avenue to 130 West For- ry-sixth street, the former home of the World Film Corporation. Immediate Need for Room "We must have more room in which to operate at once," said Mr. Morris in announcing the plans. "Keeping our of- fice space ahead of our growth is our problem just now. The New York Ex- change has completely outgrown its present quarters, and needs at least four times as much room as it now occupies. It is hoped that the new location will bp adequate, as it takes in the entire ground floor and basement of the building — about 10,000 square feet in all. It is being remodeled in a thoroughly effi- cient and modern. way, with regard to tfhee arrangements, lighting projection rooms and vaults. "The decorations and furnishings will be new and luxurious. When completed, the New York Exchange will be one of the most completely and handsomely equipped branches in the country." A staff of painters and decorators are now at work on the fourteenth floor of the home office headquarters and after the necessary alterations, Mr. Morris stated, the former quarters of the New York Exchange will be occupied by the purchasing department of the Select or- ganization, which is now housed on the sixth floor of 729 Seventh avenue. Anxious to Get Settled "Mr. Siegel is exceedingly anxious to get settled in his new quarters, where his department will be able to handle its greatly increased business more conveni- ently," said Mr. Morris, "and he is plan- ning to invite the exhibitors to a 'house- warming' in the new home of the New York Exchange." In the meantime, Mr. Morris stated, the films will be published from the home address of the Exchange pending the completion of the vaults in the West 46th street offices. Reeve and Grey Gain Control of Film Co. At a meeting of the Board of Direc- tors held recently steps were taken whereby Arthur B. Reeve, well known magazine and screen writer, and John S. Grey assumed control of Supreme Pictures, Inc. Mr. Grey assumed the presidency and Mr. Reeve the ^ice-presi- dency under the new arrangement. The company has been conducting a blind campaign for some time, in prep- aration for announcement of a serial featuring J. Robert Pauline, hypnotist and vaudeville performer, with Violet MacMillan, Paul Panzer and Peggy Shanor in support. The studios are lo- cated at Flushing, Long Island. EXHIBITORS HERALD William Le Baron Named Editor Of the Cosmopolitan Productions Well Known Playwright Will Have Final Word on The Feature Film Output of William Randolph Hearst William Le Baron, formerly managing editor of Collier's Weekly, author of "Ap- ple Blossoms" and other stage successes, and one of the best known magazine men in the country, has become editor of Cos- mopolitan Productions, and will hereafter pronounce the final word on the feature film output of William Randolph Hearst. This is one of the most important of recent film announcements and confirms the International Film Company's expressed intention to corner, for Cosmopolitan Pro- ductions, the highest dramatic and literary talent obtainable. Mr. Le Baron brings to pictures a wide experience in almost every form of writing; an intimate knowl- edge of people and of the drama; a new viewpoint and breadth of vision ; the cul- ture of a man of letters. Wrote Plays at College He was born in Elgin, 111., and received his education at the LTniversity of Chicago and at New York University. At the later place he distinguished himself by doin» four college plays, with Deems Taylor. The last effort, "The Echo," enjoys the unique distinction of being the only uni- versity play ever bought and produced in- tact in this country. Charles B. Dilling- ham having cast the piece, with Richard Carle in the lead, in Chicago. Incident- ally, when Mr. Dillingham moved the vehicle East it proved the second attraction at New York's Globe Theatre, when Mr. Le Baron now has a success ; the first starring vehicle of Bessie McCoy Davis; and one of the first vehicles of Jack Haz- zard, the then very new-to-this-country Dolly Sisters and Ryan and White, all of whom subsequently achieved fame in the theatrical vvor'd. While successfully engaged in the pub- lishing business, during which time he was connected with several well known publi- GLADDEN JAMES Who takes a leading role in "Who's Your Brother," the Curtis Pictures Corpora- tion production. cations, Mr. Le Baron wrote at odd mo- ments, for Jesse Lasky, a dozen or more vaudeville sketches, each one of which was a sensational success. Among these are "The Antique Girl," "The Trained Nurses," "The Little Parisienne" and "The Red- heads," the last named being reviewed then and since as one of vaudeville's biggest hits. Editor of Collier's Weekly Collier's IVeekly soon after called Air. Le Baron to its editorial chair and while attracting attention as a magazine editor and developing much promising talent, Mr. Le Baron wrote "Her Regiment" with Vic- tor Herbert ; and the farce comedies, "Back To Earth," "I Love You" and "The Very Idea." The last named, at the Astor The- atre, New York, with Ernest Truex playing the lead, proved one of the substantial successes of last year. The farce also en- joys the distinction of playing now to capacity at St. Martin's Theatre, London, where it has been running for six months. It has been sold for production in every language save Japanese and Chinese nego- tiations for which are now on. Shortly before resigning from Collier's to join the Hearst forces, Mr. Le Baron created the book and lyrics of the opera, "Apple Blooms," tlie current success at the Globe. "Get Together Week" Is Acclaimed Success The "Get Together Week," November 9 to 16, instituted by Robertson-Cole and conducted on a national scale, is ac- claimed "a decided success" in the an- nouncement from the headquarters of of that organization. It is stated that in Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, Cleveland, New Orleans, Wash- ington and Philadelphia new records for weekly business were established. A. S. Kirkpatrick, general manager and vice president of the Robertson-Cole Distributing Corp., declares, as the fruit of a canvass of the country made by spe- cial representatives, that "Statistics ga- thered during the past week show that almost every motion picture temple has increased it business two fold." It was added that a great deal of this increased patronage was considered due to the passing of the saloon. Song Dedicated to Barry Cliff Hess, song writer of the Leo Feist Music Publishing Company, who wrote "Huckleberry Finn," has com- posed a melody called "Freckles," which is dedicated to Wesley Barry, the twelve year old boy star of Marshall Neilan Productions. The song, which is now being sung in the east by Nora Bayes, Ray Samuels and other "vaudevillians," has for its cover a picture of young Barry in one of his character poses. ARCHER McMACKlX Well-known director who will hereafter direct comedies for the Model Comedy Company. Archer McMackin Signs To Direct Gale Henry Bruno J. Becker, general manager of the Model Comedy Company, announces the engagement of Archer McMackin, well known director, who will hereafter direct comedies starring Gale Henry. Pending the search for a director Miss Henry acted as her own director. According to General Manager Becker, his company is fortunate in securing the services of so efficient a director as McMackin, who it is said declined three fine offers before accepting the Model's proposition. Prior to directing Flanagan and Edwards, McMackin handled the megaphone for Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne, Bryant Washburn, Mont- gomery and Rock, the American Beauty comedies and Essanay. General Man- ager Becker will continue to supervise Miss Henry's productions. Kerrigan's "Joyous Liar" Reported Well Booked Reports from the W. W. Hodkinson Corp. regarding the booking contracts being received upon "A Joyous Liar," J. Warren Kerrigan's Robert Brunton pro- duction being distributed through Hod- kinson exchanges, are to the effect that in the number of these the 'distributing concern finds satisfactory proof of the audience — drawing power of productions from this combination of star and pro- ducer. The Trainon theatre, Birmingham, Ala., and the Broadway, at Columbia, S. C. have recently played the attraction and in both cases the management used extra newspaper space and presentation measures said to eclipse those used for any other attraction this year. The Sun theatre, Omaha, has booked the play for a late November showing. Other thea- tres contracted for its exhibition are: Shea's Court theatre, Buffalo, N. Y., the Strand Atlanta, Ga., the LaSalle, South Bend. Ind.. the Victoria, Chicago, the Crystal, Waterloo, la., and first run houses in many cities of like size. 63 EXHIBITORS HERALD Republic Distributing Corporation Absorbs World Branch Exchanges New Organization With Briton N. Busch as President and Lewis J. Selznick as Advisory Director Begins Active Operation The Republic Distributing Corpora- tion, Briton N. Busch, president, and Lewis J. Selznick, advisory director, re- cently formed to distribute pictures, has begun active operations. This new- comer in the industry has taken over all the branch exchanges of the world, its branch managers, salesmen and office force. Mr. Busch, president and general manager of the Republic, has had five years of splendid experience with the World, serving as secretary, treasurer and general manager. He makes the following announcement: "The Republic has all the advantages of a going organization with five years of experience and connections, and a record for square dealing which the ex- hibitors of the United States recognize and appreciate, plus the Selznick record for having given to exhibitors a class of pictures that have enabled them to play to crowded and highly satisfied audi- ences which has resulted in the ex- hibitor materially increasing his banking account. The home office will be at 130 West 46th street, New York. Seeks High Class Pictures "The policy of the Republic will be to secure for distribution high class pic- tures that have the elements of wide appeal made by producers who have been successful in giving exhibitors money making features. Not alone will the Republic handle well known star productions but will also secure sub- jects obtained in the open market that lend themselves to the greatest scope of publicity, have the highest degree of drawing power produced by the most eminent directors in a first class man- ner, with well balanced casts of recog- nized screen players of unquestioned ability. "The aim of the Republic will be to give exhibitors such pictures on a basis that will enable the exhibitor to make big money. "Back of every release will be an ex- ploitation campaign that will put the picture over wherever it is shown. Three Features in December "Beginning in December," continued Mr. Busch, "the Republic will release as specials three features that should by reason of their box office value indicate to exhibitors the sort of pictures that they can expect from the Republic Dis- tributing Corporation. "One of these bears the title of '12:10' and has for its star Marie Doro, cele- braed both as a star on the legitimate stage as well as on the screen. Her reputation is not confined alone to the United States, she having appeared in London as a star in the spoken drama under the management of Charles Froh- man and has also appeared under his management in America in 'The Morals of Marcus' and other successes. "Another special production for this month will be 'The Amazing Woman.' It was produced by Lloyd Carleton from a story by Rupert Julian, author of the big box office winner, 'The Beast of Berlin.' It has for its star Ruth Clif- ford, known to picture patrons from one end of the world to the other. Miss Clifford has been the heroine in such well known successes as 'The Beast of Berlin,' 'Fires of Youth,' 'Midnight Mad- ness,' 'The Red, Red Heart' and 'The Lure of Luxury,' all of which have made money for exhibitors. OLIVE THOMAS The popular Selznick star In three scenes from her latest production, "Out Yon- der," which will be distributed by Select Pictures Corp. "Another release for December made by the Republic includes the first of a series of Broadway stage successes made into pictures by the Lawrence Weber Company. It bears the title of 'The Blue Pearl.' This play had a run at the Longacre Theatre, New York, and Mr. Weber in selecting this vehicle for the first of his series, chose it from a score that were at his disposal as he deemed it the strongest and best picture possibility on which to establish a fol- lowing for his production." Haworth Takes Over Old Griffith Studio Robertson-Cole Producing Com- pany Will Increase Its Activities The D. W. Griffith studios on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California, with its entire equipment, has been taken over by the Haworth Company to pro- duce special feature productions for Robertson-Cole. The announcement was made by Robertson-Cole following receipt of a telegram from W. J. Con- nery, acting for the Haworth concern. As soon as the necessary papers had been signed, it was decided to move in at once. Officials of the concern la- bored day and night moving equipment and taking the necessary working ma- terial to their new scene of work. No Interruption in Work So that there would be no interrup- tion in the work of the Haworth Com- pany, scenes were shot by day and the moving was done after the sun had gone down in the evening The mov- ing force worked for an eight-hour stretch making the change. So large are the new studios that officials of the Haworth Company Lave assured the Robertson-Cole Company that several companies can work at one time. This will increase the produc- ing power of the Haworth Company. Companies Are Assigned Robertson-Cole in making the an- nouncement of the new studio say that Sessue Hayakawa will occupy the studio for his next production. The Haworth Company is also in charge of the Edith Storey production, for Rob- ertson-Cole. It is also stated that at the new Griffith studios Haworth will also produce a series of specials for Rob- ertson-Cole. Mack Sennett Renews Kalla Pasha Contract Kalla Pasha, the world's champion wrestling comedian, or comedian wrest- ler, has made such a hit in Paramount- Mack Sennett comedies that Mr. Sennett has just signed up Kalla for two more years. Kalla, who hides his face behind a jungle of black whiskers, says that as long as motion picture fans seem to like his hedge, he will grow more whiskers than ever. Houston Exhibitor Weds S. A. Abraham, one of the proprietors of the S & A theatre at Houston, Minn., is touring the East with his bride, who was formerly Miss Ina Comstock, as- sistant postmaster of the city. 64 EXHIBITORS HERALD ^^tauattiutiiimiujjiiiij] iiuiitiitiiiiiiiiMiiiniiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiitJiitMUiitJiiiiiJiJiriniJiMiif JiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiririiiiiiiiiiariiiiititiiiitiiitittiinxiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiniitiiixiiiiitiiiiiiiJi LiuiiitiiiiMjiiiiiiiitiiiiiTiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiitiiniiiiiiiiT* ^= I KNICKERBOCKER RAISES PRICES | Nashville Theatre Uses Antia Stewart Film To Introduce Advance Ad missions and Plays To Capacity Crowds Throughout the Week iamroniiiMirauMiuuiHiiiiiM NASHVILLE, TEX X.— The Knicker- bocker Theatre. Nashville's handsome photoplay house, under the management of Harry Sudekum, has put into perma- nent effect an increased admission price, which is thirty cents for all seats at matinees and fifty cents at evening per- formances. These prices exceed the scale of any motion picture house in this territory, and equal the admissions which have been asked in the past only for spe- cial feature attractions. The experiment by Mr. Sudekum, in establishing the higher scale, has been watched with great interest by other ex- hibitors in this territory, for many of them are facing the same condition which caused Mr. Sudekum to make the change. This condition is the inability to pay the increased cost of properly staging feature pictures, and other .in- creased expenses, on the scale of prices which had been charged. Heavy Newspaper Advertising In arranging the nev/ scale Mr. Sude- kum did not have greater profits in mind, but arranged for the outlay of the entire proceeds of the increase, based upon the Knickerbocker average attend- ance. The improvements consisted chiefly in an enlarged house staff and a bigger orchestra, as well as a more gen- erous use of advertising space. He put the new policy into effect at the beginning of a week's run of Anita Stewart in "The Kingdom of Her Dreams." Large newspaper space was used in advertising the First National attraction, but no other unusual exploita- tion was employed. The audience on the opening night was a little larger than those of the usual opening nights, but before the week was over the theatre was doing capacity business. Naturally, the week broke the house records for receipts, but it also established a new record for attendance. Sudekum Discusses Move Manager Sudekum in disussing the new plan of operation for the Knicker- bocker, expressed his approval of high prices for quality pictures, saying that it was beneficial to exhibitor and patron alike. "By charging thirty cents for matinees and fifty cents for night performances," he declared, "the manager is assured of a reasonable profit and a sum sufficient to cover the ever increasing cost of ex- hibiting photoplays. By this same plan, the audience is assured of getting the high grade pictures which only higher admissions will permit, and getting them new and in good condition from the ex- changes. The matter of booking quality films is not nearly so easy as it was years ago when the art had not advanced to its present stage, and the fact that we are charging higher prices is but conclusive proof of the fact that we desire to do our part by our friends, the public." Mr. Sudekum's sound version prob- ably will have a far-reaching effect among exhibitors of the south. "The Midnight Bride" Scheduled for January One of Vitagraph's first pictures in 1920 will be the "Midnight Bride," which has just been completed by Gladys Leslie. Based on "The Mar- riage of Little Jeanne Sterling," a maga- zine story by Charles Stokes Wayne, it affords Miss Leslie another opportun- ity to demonstrate that her talents do not run entirely to comedy. As Jeanne Sterling she has quite the best role se- lected for her since Albert B. Smith, president of Yitagraph, gave her a se- rious part in "The Girl Women." Wil- liam J. Humphrey directed the picture. Realart Star Aids In Safety Campaign Constance Binney Prominent in Detroit "Accident Preven- tion" Drive Constance Binney, whose first starring vehicle, for Realart, "Erstwhile Susan," now is being booked through Ohio and Michigan, gave Detroiters an illustration on November 11, of how not to cross that city's perilous streets. The occasion was the inauguration of Detroit's "Safety First" campaign, which ran for a week. Detroit's local news weekly service requested Mi^s Binney to pose as part of the campaign propa- ganda, and asked her to select her own way of conveying to the public the dan- gers attendant upon crossing busy streets at places other than intersections. Selects Dangerous Corner Miss Binney selected Woodward Ave- nue near Grand River Avenue as being the best location for the picture. Police records show that most of Detroit's traffic accidents occur at that corner. The Realart star crossed the street in the center of the block disregarding the traffic semaphore warning, apparently bent upon a shopping tour. An auto- mobile whizzed by her at a rapid rate, almost running into her. A mounted policeman then galloped up to her and administered a well deserved rebuke, handing her at the same time a printed card issued by the campaign officials. Officials Thank Star Prominent police officials witnessed the filming of the picture, and afterwards expressed their appreciation for Miss Binney's contribution toward the cam- paign for making Detroit streets safe for pedestrians. The local news weekly, known as the Free Press Film edition, circulates among seventy-five leading theatres in Detroit and an equal number of motion pictures houses throughout Michigan, making a total distribution of one hun- dred and fifty theatres in the state alone. IS THIS ALLAN DWAN'S MASTERPIECE? Typical scenes from "Soldiers of Fortune," which is acclaimed in the East as Allan Dwan's greatest production. It is founded on Richard Harding Davis' story and was dramatized by Augustus Thomas. It was made at the Mayflower studios. Realart Pictures Corporation is distributing the production. 65 EXHIBITORS HERALD Realart Reports Exhibitors Are Enthusiastic Over Its New Star Telegrams Carry Messages of Congratulations on Constance Binney's Premier in "Erstwhile Susan" From All Parts of Country After showing one Realart picture in his big Oklahoma Theatre, Glenn Con- don, the Tulsa exhibitor, has signed up for an entire year's program of Realart productions at an advance in rental of $50 over a previous contract for the first three Realart Pictures. Constance Binney's "Erstwhile Susan" is the picture which has not only broken records at Mr. Condon's theatre, but has induced the owner to sign a contract with Realart's Kansas City manager, John N. MacMeekin, for a sum which the ex- hibitor says is larger than was ever given to any other concern in the history of his theatre. Wires Bring Congratulations Realart officials say they are over- whelmed by the flood of appreciation accorded their first contributions to mo- tion pictures. Telegraph wires were humming last week, it is stated, with enthusiastic messages from exhibitors all over the country to President Arthur S. Kane, telling him that their first ac- quaintance with the new producing com- pany points to a happy and prosperous future. "Our fondest hopes have been fully realized in this talented and beautiful star," said John S. Woody, general man- ager of Realart, in commenting on Con- stance Binney's work in "Erstwhile Susan." "I have no doubt that the en- thusiastic predictions of discerning ex- hibitors will come true and that by next year Constance Binney, under the Real- art banner, will rank with the greatest stars of the screen." Praise From Tulsa Exhibitor On the night of the opening of "Erst- while Susan" at his Majestic Theatre, Tulsa, Mr. Condon wired the following telegram to President Kane: "Constance Binney opened four-day run our Majesty Theatre, Tulsa, today to season's record business in number of admissions and box office receipts. Binney is a sensation. Her future as star assured from unanimous favorable comment of patrons today. Some of Sunday openings beaten today were Nazimova in "The Brat," Far- rar in "World and Its Woman," and "Lombardi Limited." Congratulations on such a meritorious first release. Oppositions "Male and Female" and "Virtuous Vamp." Glenn Condon Four days after the receipt by Mr. Kane of the foregoing enthusiastic tele- gram from Exhibitor Condon there came a second one, which was even more grat- ifying than the first. The message fol- lows: "Your Kansas City Managetr, Mr. MacMeekin, and his representative, Mr. Fox, last night screened "Soldiers of Fortune" in this theatre for benefit of large crowd of exhibitors from this territory. After seeing this wonderful production immediately signed a contract on Mr. MacMek- in's own terms. This will be the first picture ever to play the Majestic Theatre one week at advance prices. We have also contracted for the entire season's Realart program after having played the first release, "Erstwhile Susan," at an advance in rental on the subsequent eleven pictures of* fifty dollars each over what we paid for first three releases contracted for. Total amount of contract signed with Mr. MacMeekin today more than five thousand dollars, the largest contract we ever gave to any one concern in history of this theatre. Constance Binney's picture has drawn tributes from many other exhibitors who have shown it during the past week. The consensus of exhibitor opinion seems to be that "Erstwhile Susan" is a particu- larly fitting vehicle for the initial Real- art presentation of this young actress, and that, given more of such appealing stories to interpret, the star's continued popularity is assured. Says Warning Is Justified President Kane feels that the response to Miss Binney's first picture already has justified his admonition to exhibitors: "Warn your audiences to leave their hearts at home for safekeeping when they go to see Constance Binney." Mr. Kane thinks that not even the exhibitors (Continued on page 76) Weather Interrupts Latest Morey Film In the Adirondacks Wind, rain, snow and a few other drawbacks having arrived at the Adiron- dack mountains in Northern New York before Harry T. Morey could get fairly started on his next feature, "The Might- ier Strength," the Vitagraph star is get- ting ready to transfer his activities to North and South Carolina. A couple of Vitagraph's location men are now in the South seeking a new location for the picture where the elements, unless it be an occasional shower, will not in- terfere. If either is successful the pic- ture will be made before the Christmas holidays. If they are not "The Mightier Strength" will have to wait over until next summer. Excellent locations had been found in the Adirondacks in the vicinity of Lake Placid and Lake Tup- per. Mr. Morey now has two Vitagraph features awaiting publication. They are "The Darkest Hour," which had its scenes laid in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and "The Birth of a Soul," which was made in the moun- tains of North Carolina. In both Mr. Morey appears as a rugged moun- taineer. Jean Paige, who is now play- ing opposite Earle Williams in "The Fortune Hunter," was Mr. Morey's leading lady in each picture. George Randolph Chester, production editor of Vitagraph, and Mrs. Chester edited "The Birth of a Soul." New Edition of "Spoilers" Purchased for Manhattan The Sol Lesser Exchange reports the purchase of the new edition of Col. Se- lig's "The Spoilers" for distribution in Greater New York. "The Spoilers" is lauded by many as the best vehicle in which William Far- num has ever appeared. It is probably the best exponent of thrilling fights, and the forerunner of subsequent pictures of this nature. A complete supply of new posters, photographs, cuts and other accessories will be available, and the picture is ex- pected to be ready for release within the next month. Mr. Lesser also controls this picture for California, Nevada and Arizona, where it is enjoying a tremen- dous success. Gloria Swanson, De Mille Star, to Wed H. K. Somborn Herbert K. Somborn, president of Equity Pictures Corporation, is to marry Gloria Swanson, the dainty De Mille star, who is featured in "Male and Fe- male." Mr. Somborn sponsored "Eyes of Youth" and other big productions. 66 EXHIBITORS HERALD Taylor Holmes Prepared to Make Comedies for Metro Distribution Star Secures Rights to "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies" As First of New Productions Metro Pictures Corporation will pub- lish through its system of exchanges in this country and its affiliations in Great Britain the new Taylor Holmes pro- ductions, the first three of which are to be "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies." Mr. Holmes has now practically com- pleted his plans for the production of the three features named, and with the arrangement to publish them through Metro is in a position to begin work immediately. Both parties were highly TAYLOR HOLMES Whose future comedy features are to be distributed by Metro Pictures Corpora- tion. gratified when the contract had been closed. Secures Right to Plays J. Davis Pendleton originally ac- quired the motion picture rights to the three plays "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies" some time ago, and announced that he was ready to dispose of them. Taylor Holmes seized them as quickly as possible, believing they offered the precise light comedy for material which he had been looking. The first of the three comedy-farce successes to be picturized will be "Nothing But the Truth." Mr. Holmes is selecting his cast for this picture and declares he will surround himself with the best company he can obtain in New York, where the studio arrangements will be made. As soon as this play is completed work on the next will com- mence immediately, the selection of which has not as yet been made. "Nothing But the Truth" served as a stage vehicle for William Collier for several seasons. This farce revolves about the efforts of Robert Bennett to win a bet by telling nothing but the truth for twenty-four hours. It was highly successful in its book form by Frederic Isham. James Montgomery made the stage version of the story. Le Baron Play Included The other two plays acquired by Mr. Holmes are modeled along similar lines. "The Very Idea" was written by Wil- liam Le Baron who has a long list of popular farce successes and musical comedies to his credit. "Nothing But Lies" is from the pen of Aaron Hoff- man and also served as a vehicle for William Collier following his success in "Xothing But the Truth." Taylor Holmes' advent as a producer of motion pictures has aroused con- siderable interest. It is understood that he has already made arrangements for a studio near New York City and that he is now organizing his executive, sales and advertising forces. The personnel of the staff of the business organiza- tion will be made public shortly, ac- cording to Mr. Holmes. Suitable Yacht Found For "The Inferior Sex" The Chaplin-Mayer Company has suc- ceeded in locating a yacht suitable for the marine scenes of "The Inferior Sex," Mildred Harris Chaplin's first starring vehicle under her new contract with Louis B. Mayer. Permission to use the yacht "Com- panero" has been obtained from Wrigley and Banning, owners of Santa Catalina Island. Efforts to obtain suitable yachts in San Francisco were futile and the company returned recently from the northern location after inspecting a fleet of boats entirely too small. The "Companero" is a steam and sail- ing yacht eighty-eight feet long and with eighteen feet beam. It is said to be the trimmest vessel of its kind now in the Pacific. It is now docked at the Wilmington shipyards, San Pedro, but will put to sea with the Chaplin-Mayer company the latter part of this week. Select Magazine Story For Corinne Griffith Albert B. Smith, president of Vita- graph, and George Randolph Chester, its production editor, have selected "Dead Line at Eleven," adapted by Lucien Hubbard from the magazine story by Ruth Byers, as the next feature for Corinne Griffith. Miss Griffith com- pleted her latest picture, "Human Col- lateral," less than a week ago and will take a few days' rest before commenc- ing on her new feature. It will be di- rected by George Fawcett. Another of Miss Griffith's pictures, "The Tower of Jewels," will be published early next month. 67 Metro Will Resume Production in East Richard A. Rowland Announces Expansion on Return From West Coast A policy of vast expansion for Metro Pictures Corporation embracing a re- sumption of production in the East on the same large scale as now conducted in the West and the extension of ac- tivities to the developing foreign field, was announced by Richard A. Rowland, president of Metro and Screen Classics, Inc., upon his recent return to New York following a month's tour of inspection of the new Metro studios in Holly- wood, Cal. Will Start in Spring Production in the East will be resumed early in the coming Spring. Metro re- RICHARD A. ROWLAND President of Metro Pictures Corporation, who has announced his company will resume production in the East in the early spring. cently renewed its lease on its West Sixty-first street studios, overlooking Columbus Circle, temporarily vacated by the company when with other motion picture producers it was compelled to curtail its activities to aid in the gov- ernment's policy of restriction and economy to win the war. All efforts were concentrated at that time at the Hollywood studios, which were de- veloped and improved with every ta- cility known to the motion picture in- dustry. Six Pictures Under Way Metro will now embark upon a pro- gram which will mean no vital change in policy except in the extension, ac- cording to Mr. Rowland, of facilities to improve the quality of "fewer and better" pictures. As the exigencies of the war situation began to disappear Metro increased its activities at Holly- wood. It announced a policy of "fewer and better" pictures. At present there are six special productions under way at one time at the studios. EXHIBITORS HERALD THREE SCENES FROM AMERICAN'S LATEST FEATURE American Film Company Offers Third of "Flying A Specials" Charlotte Walker Featured in "Eve in Exile," Cosmo Hamilton Story — Announcement Emphasizes Importance of Cast "Eve in Exile," the play by Cosmo Hamilton, is announced as the third of the series of "Flying A Specials" to be produced by the American Film Co., "Six Feet Four," in which William Rus- sell starred, and "The Hellion," featur- ing Margarita Fisher, being the first two units. In making this announcement the pro- ducing organization lays especial stress upon the players who make up the cast. Charlotte Walker Featured Charlotte Walker, well known to both stage and screen, at present on tour with the "Tea For Three" company, is said to be the ideal actress for the role of "Eve Ricardo," about which character the story of the play centers. Her in- terpretation of the part is expected to advance her popularity as a star in both mediums. Wheeler Oakman, whose screen work under many banners has given him a wide acquaintanceship, appears opposite the star. His is the role of "Paul Ar- mitage," described by the author as "a poet and a dreamer, friend of children, animals, and the flotsam and jetsam among human beings." Thomas Santschi, as "John Sheen," is said to have a role which permits him to exhibit to the best advantage the powers of villainly which are his. He is cast as "a morose, rather brutal man of middle age who rides 'hell for leather,' rules his house with a rod of iron, has not faith in men or women, yet has the faculty of being, at times, charming and intelligent." Melbourne MacDowell in Cast Melbourne MacDowell's role is that of a man who has been at the top and the bottom of the social ladder, always re- taining possession of his finer instincts and remaining honest. He enacts the role of the male lead's elder brother. Lois Zellner adapted the play for the screen. Burton George directed. Dal Clawson was in charge of the camera. Heerman to Supervise All Neilan Pictures Victor Heerman, recently engaged by Marshall Neilan, will be placed in full charge of the direction of various stories to be presented on the screen under the Neilan trade-mark, arrangements for which have already been completed. In a previous announcement the im- pression was given that Mr. Heerman was an assistant to Mr. Neilan in the direction of productions, when as a mat- ter of fact Heerman was engaged as a director. Victor Heerman has had years of ex- perience as a director for Mack Sennett, Keystone and the Fox Film Company and his work for these organizations stamps him as one of the leaders of his profession. His engagement with Mar- shall Neilan follows a period of war service in the United States Navy, where he held the rating of Chief Yeoman. Carleton Will Support Castle In "Miss Antique" William P. Carleton, leading man un- der contract with the Famous Players- Lasky Corporation, has been selected to play the leading role opposite Irene Castle in "Miss Antique," which is being filmed at the Fort Lee studio of this com- pany from the two-part novelette by Nalbro Bartley, which ran in Snappy Stories. This is the first time that Mr. Carleton will be seen in "the support of Miss Castle. Vitagraph Will Sue Park Theatre, Boston, For Contract Breach John M. Quinn, general manager of Vitagraph, Inc., has instructed the at- torneys for that company to bring suit for breach of contract against the man- agers of the Park Theatre, Boston. "The idea seems to obtain with the managers of certain picture houses that contracts may be broken with impun- ity, and the proposed action," declared a Vitagraph official, "will serve to dem- onstrate that the men who invest their time and money in making motion pic- tures have the same rights as the pro- ducers of the spoken drama, who al- ways see to it th: t their contracts are lived up to." The Park Theatre is one of the larg- est in New England. Robertson-Cole Moves Into Enlarged^Offices The entire fourth floor of the Mecca Building, 47th St. and Broadway, New York, with the exception of a few small offices, has been taken over by the Rob- ertson-Cole Distributing Corp. and is now the home office of that concern. The recent expansion in Robertson- Cole activities, notably the opening of twenty-six exchanges throughout the United States, made necessary the acqui- sition of more office room. Even the projection room had to be utilized for other than the accustomed purposes and stenographers, artists and shipping clerks worked here side by side. Con- siderably more "elbow room" is per- mitted by the new arrangement. Foreign Deal Closed J. A. Lipman, Sidney, Australia, has contracted with the American Film Com- pany for the Australasia distribution of the propaganda picture, "Damaged Goods." F. Alland and Brothers, Boston, have secured state rights for the same film in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. 68 EXHIBITORS HERALD Paramount's British Company|Buys Rights to the Latest Drury Play "The Great Day" Will Be Produced In England With Assistance of Arthur Collins Who Produced Drama On Stage Famous Players-Lasky British Pro- ducers, Ltd., has purchased the screen rights to "The Great Day," the drama now playing at the Drury Lane Theatre, and acknowledged to be the biggest suc- cess of the present season in London. The purchase was made from Arthur Collins, who, including "The Great Day," has produced all of the last twenty-three dramas presented at the Drury Lane. The production will remain at that theatre until next Easter, when it will begin its tour of the provinces. The work of filming will start at the London studio shortly afterwards, or about the first of May. Arthur Collins to Assist By the terms of the purchase from Mr. Collins, Famous Players-Lasky British Producers, Ltd., obtains the right to use as much of the original scenery, prop- erties and costumes of the stage pro- duction as may be adaptable for the pic- turization. Mr. Collins, whose genius for realism and spectacular effect is supreme, has also offered to assist the company in every possible way in the adaptation and in the supervision of the screen version. Produced on a scale possible only at the famous old Druary Lane, with its huge stage and extraordinary facilities for realistic effect, these real-life dramas invariably have attained such wide pop- ularity that their titles have become household words. Witness, for example, "The Whip," "Sporting Life," "The White Heather" and "Sealed Orders," to mention only a few. Much of their pop- ularity is undoubtedly due to the fact that these plays invariably deal with broad human topics of wide appeal, It's Moving Day Gladys Brockvcell and William Scott in "Thieves," the new William Fox feature, having: a real cozy little chat in a trunk. never attempting to become psychologi- cal, never going over the heads of the majority of people. "The Great Day" Strong Story "The Great Day" is declared to be a perfect example of this type of play. It is said to present a straightforward, human story, covering every grade of society from the laborer to the lord and filled with thrilling situations and dra- matic incidents such as the general pub- lic loves. It was written by Louis N. Parker and George R. Sims, the former the author or adaptor of scores of suc- cessful plays including "Magda," "Cyrano de Bergerac," "L'Aiglon," "The Sorcer- ess," "The Duel," "Pomander Walk," "Chantacler," "Sire," "Disraeli" and "Joseph and His Brethren," and the lat- ter the author or co-author of many of the most pronounced successes of the English stage, not the least of which was "The Romany Rye," which Maurice Tourneur recently filmed under the title, "The Life Line." On account of the story, itself, the great facilities which Famous Players- Lasky British Producers, Ltd., will have by the time a start is made on the film version and the valuable assistance which Mr. Collins will be able to give, it is anticipated with confidence by the com- pany that the picture will surpass any Drury Lane drama hitherto produced for the screen. "Big 4" Sales Managers At Eastern Conference A conference of the executives and the sales managers of the eastern branch offices of the United Artists Corporation was held at the "Big Four" home office in New York last week. Hiram Abrams called in his sales man- agers so that he could explain to them in person some of the important fea- tures that will mark the future plans of the corporation. A conference of the remaining sales managers will be held in Denver with Mr. Abrams and Ralph Proctor within a few weeks. The sales managers who attended the conference this week were William Jenner of Boston, Mass., A. C. Berman of Toronto, Canada, Cresson E. Smith of Chicago, 111., Robert J. Churchill of Detroit, Mich., C. S. Trow- bridge of Philadelphia, Pa., Carlos Moore of Pittsburgh, Pa., and George F. Lenehan of Washington, D. C. Will Direct Thomas Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures Corp., has announced that Allan Crossland, who directed Elaine Hammerstein in "The Country Cousin" and "Greater Than Fame," will direct Olive Thomas in her next picture fol- lowing the completion of "Out of the Night," upon which she is now engaged. VIOLA DANA As she appears in "The Willow Tree," a picturization of the Cohan and Harris stage success, a forthcoming- Screen Classic, Inc., production. "When a Man Loves" Last Earle Williams Feature of the Year Earle Williams' final picture of the year, and the last he completed at Vita- graph's west coast studio, will be "When a Man Loves." Since finishing the pic- ture Mr. Williams has come east to Vitagraph's Brooklyn studio where he is now busy on "The Fortune Hunter," a screen version of Winchell Smith's famous play. The latter will be ready for publication early in the new year. While Mr. Williams' next feature has several of its scenes laid in Tokio, with Japanese settings, it is by no means a play of the Far East. The greater part of the action takes place in London and on an English estate. Mr. Williams ap- pears as a young and titled English- man, somewhat a departure from the type of role with which he has been associated. Margaret Loomis appears as Youri San, whom Williams, as the hero, marries in Tokio in the belief that she is half Japanese. The play was directed by Chester Bennett. Saenger Company Denies Rumor of Propoded Sale Rumors that the Saenger Amusement Company of New Orleans is negotiating with any individual or concern for the sale of its theatre or exchange interests in the Southeast are emphatically denied by W. H. Gueringer, assistant manager in charge of the concern's New York headquarters. "There is not a semblance of truth in the reports that have been circulated," declared Mr. Gueringer. "The Saenger Amusement Company has not been ap- proached, nor is there any thought or intention of it disposing of any of its properties." 69 EXHIBITORS HERALD AN ILLUSTRATION OF PATHE'S ENTERPRISE One of the most unusual uses to which the motion camera has been put — the Kovagraph camera In- in a prepared to photograph the beating of a dog's heart, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. Hodkinson's December Offerings Include Kerrigan and Leah Baird "The Lord Loves the Irish" and "The Capitol" Are Scheduled for Publication — Declared to Be Among Stars' Best Pictures What are declared by their producers as the best J. Warren Kerrigan screen play of the year and the best Leah Baird play from the successes of Augustus Thomas are December pub- lications announced by the W. W. Hod- kinson Corporation for distribution by the Hodkinson sales organization through Pathe Exchange, Inc. "The Lord Loves the Irish" is the title that links the star of the Irish name with an Irish-American story by an obviously Irish author, Monte M. Katterjohn. It is said to be the clean- est cut, liveliest story done in the past two years by the author of "The Flame of the Yukon," "Carmen of the Klon- dike," his newest drama of the snows, "Alaska," and many other plays. Is Brunton Production "The Lord Loves the Irish" is a Rob- ert Brunton production. It is directed by Ernest C. Warde, who supervised the production of the recent J. Warren Kerrigan pictures. The cast comprises Fritzie Brunette, James O. Barrows, Wedgwood Nowell, William Fllingford, Aggie Herring and Joseph J. Dowling, whose work con- tributed much to the success of Mr. Kerrigan's recent Hodkinson pictures, "A White Man's Chance" and "The Joyous Liar." "The Lord Loves the Irish" is avail- able for pre-release engagements in every part of the United States for De- cember 14th and thereafter. "The Capitol" Scheduled Leah Baird's third Augustus Thomas screen-play, previously announced as to title and cast, "The Capitol," is a tense emotional society drama of social and political Washington — a story of a woman's fight for her husband and her honor. "The Capitol" is available for pre-release presentation in theatres for December 7th and thereafter. N. A. M. P. I. Opens Fall Drive Against Censorship of Films Gabriel L. Hess, chairman of the cen- sorship committee of the National As- sociation of the Motion Picture Industry, has begun the fall campaign against legalized censorship of films by taking steps to organize state committees to combat the censorship idea in every state in the Union. The various F. I. L. M. clubs and branch managers' associations through- out the country have been requested to assist in the organization of the pro- posed state committees. The plan is in line with the recent meeting here of the officials of F. L L. M. clubs and managers' associations when it was brought out how a well organized na- tional body can give prompt and valu- able assistance to the heads of the im- portant standing committees of the Na- tional Association, when occasion arises. Mr. Hess is beginning early this year on the censorship campaign. It is gen- erally conceded that the coming winter will see an effort to put through bills for prepublicity censorship of motion pictures. It is believed, however, that bringing the issue clearly before the peo- ple will prevent the enactment of any such censorship measures. Lee A. Ochs Speeds Plans for Company Second National Exhibitors Circuit Franchises to Be Awarded at Once Plans are going ahead rapidly for the active operation of the Second National Exhibitors Circuit, the newly formed ex- hibitor-owned organization of which Lee A. Ochs is president. Mr. Ochs and Nathan Burkan, the at- torney, have been engaged in outlining the many details that such a large or- ganization entails and have been giving special consideration to the matter of franchises. As Mr. Ochs laid his plans well in advance, went over the ground carefully and inspected the various ter- ritories, it is now a case of selecting those applications that seem most de- sirable. Will Demand Co-Operation In giving this matter consideration it is the stated desire of the president of Sec- ond National and his associates that only those exhibitors be chosen who will co-operate in the way that spells suc- cess for such an organization, who have theatres of the highest class and in cities all over the country. In speaking of franchises Mr. Ochs says: "It is very gratifying to me to have had applications for franchises come in in such numbers. Hardly had my plans been announced but telegrams began to arrive. From all over the United States and Canada theatre own- ers have wired me asking for the privi- lege of joining Second National. How- ever, this did not surprise me in the least, for I am throughly familiar with the situation throughout the country and knew that once I was ready to begin operations that the exhibitors would not be slow in teaming up with me." Prepare for Production Although detailed announcement of the plans of Second National are not ready at this time to be given out, it is stated that arrangements are fast being completed not only for the granting of franchises but for the production of pictures. New State Right Feature ■ "The Vigilantes," a seven-reel pro- duction now being offered to the inde- pendent exchanges by the Arrow Film Corporation, is a story of the Golden West in the days of '49. "The Vigil- antes" is an elaborate production and in some of the scenes there are as many as 2,000 people. 70 EXHIBITORS HERALD Robertson-Cole Producing Units Are Completing Five Features "The Golden Hope," First of Edith Storey's New Production, Will Be Ready for the Screen Within Few Weeks MYXA Cl'N'ARD A\ lin has signed a three-year eontraet to star in Western two-reelers and feat- ures for the Frohman amusement cor- poration. Myna Cunard to Star In Western Pictures Signs Three Year Contract With Frohman and Will Start Work at Once The Frohman Amusement Corpora- tion has contracted with Myna Cunard for a period of three years to star in two-reel Western productions and fea- tures. Miss Cunard now achieves her ambition to star, thereby duplicating the achievement of her sister, Grace Cunard, with whom she first entered the the- atrical and photodramatic fields. Started With Circus Miss Cunard, at the age of nine, en- listed as a trapeze worker and eques- trienne in a traveling circus, graduating to the Sells Flotto outfit, and then was one of the featured performers with Barnum and Bailey Circus. Her experience with this, the hardest school in the entertainment field, quali- fies her for the arduous work that must necessarily be involved in the characters she will be required to portray in West- ern dramas, where all the stunts of a male Western character will be dupli- cated by her. From the circus Miss Cunard entered the legitimate theatrical field, appearing in stock as an ingenue and later as an emotional heavy. She joined the forces of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. After serving with that company for upwards of six years Miss Cunard was the featured player in several special productions. Twenty-Eight Each Year There will be twenty-six two-reel pro- ductions and two special features pub- lished during the year 1920, starring Miss Cunard. It is expected that the first attraction will be distributed De- cember 20, probably for the state right market. Five features intended for publication during the holiday season by Robert- son-Cole are rapidly nearing completion at the studios. Included in the number is Miss Edith Storey's initial produc- tion. Completes "The Tong Man" At the Haworth studios Sessue Haya- kawa has just completed "The Tong Man," an old-fashioned melodrama. Hayakawa plays the part of a hatchet- man in one of the tongs of the old Chinatown of San Francisco. It is a story of the intrigues of the old Chinese quarter. Toyo Fujita, Helen Eddy, Jack Abbe and Marc Robbins are in the cast. Without losing any time Hayakawa at once started work on the production to follow "The Tong Man." It is a romance of the days of the Arabian Nights called "The Beggar Prince," in which Hayakawa plays a dual role — .appearing as the wicked prince and as a poor fisherman. According to the actor this is the most expensive picture in which he has ever appeared. Some big scenes will be staged and Haya- kawa feels that he is fortunate in ac- quiring the old Griffith studios for the making of the production. In the cast of this production are Beatrice La Plante, Thelma Percy, Rob- erto Bolder, Joseph Swickert, Bert Had- ley and Buddy Post. They are all working hard and co-operating with Hayakawa in making this one of his finest productions. Edith Storey at Work Edith Storey is nearing the comple- tion of her first picture called "The Golden Hope." It is from the book of the same name written by Grace Sart- well Mason and John W. Hilliary. Joseph De Grasse, who up to a few months ago directed Dorothy Dalton, is directing Miss Storey. It is said to be a good story with big dramatic moments and the part given Miss Storey fits her dramatic talents perfectly. The pic- ture is being produced by Haworth. The cast includes Marin Sais, Carl Gerard, Howard Gaye, William Elmer, Omar Whitehead, Frank Shawa and A. J. Fleming. The story is built around the high-spirited wife of a rather worth- less tramp goldseeker who finds hap- piness only after the bitterness of life has been met with and overcome. Bessie Barriscale is in the midst of a new production. This picture marks a milestone in the history of B. B. Fea- tures, as it is the first picture of the second series. For the story, they bought Jeanne Judson's book, "Beck- oning Roads." The cast includes Niles Welch, Gloria Hope, George Periolet, Thomas Holding, Joseph Dowling and Dorcas Mathews. To follow this the B. B. Features will film Kathleen Norris' widely known book, "The Luck of Geraldine Laird." This, too, is a best seller. Niles Welch has already been engaged to play op- posite Miss Barriscale in this picture. Two Brentwood Companies Brentwood has two companies at work, one directed by Claude H. Mitchell and the other by Henry Kol- ker. Mitchell has almost completed his picture. It has been given no official title as yet. Mitchell's cast is headed by ZaSu Pitts and includes Henry Wood- ward, Edwin Stevens, W. H. Bainbridge. Fannie Midgeley, Frank Hayes, Julanne Johnson, Hugh Mack. Anna Hernan- dez and Fred Mack. The Brentwood picture that Henry Kolker is making is being shot under the working title of "The House of Vandusen." The story swings about the life of the aristocratic Van Dusen fam- ily, descended from the Knickerbockers. The four principal roles are being played by Betty Blythe, Nathan Hamil- ton, Betty Brice and Jack Pratt. Selznick Completes "Greater Than Fame" "Greater Than Fame," Elaine Ham- merstein's second production for Selz- nick, has been completed under the di- rection of Allan Crossland. The final scenes were taken at the Manhattan -Opera House, New York, during the week of November 16. Following a brief vacation, the star will begin work upon her next produc- tion, "The Woman Game," which will be filmed under the direction of William P. S. Earle. Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon in J. Stuart Blackton's latest production for Pathe, "Dawn." 71 EXHIBITORS HERALD Clark- Cornelius Corporation Will Continue Active in Picture Field Clark-Cornelius Corporation, which was organized by the controlling inter- ests of Exhibitors Mutual Distributing Corporation to purchase the negatives of the twelve famous Chaplin Mutual comedies, announces that it will remain actively in the motion picture business despite the sale of Exhibitors Mutual exchanges. Plans are being perfected by William J. Clark, president of the corporation, for its future. An executive organiza- tion has been formed and a field force will be maintained. Mr. Clark will con- tinue at the head of the company, de- voting his entire time to its affairs. Name Special Field Force The Chaplin Classics will be distrib- uted through the Hallmark Pictures Corporation as previously announced, with a special field force supervising their sale. This force consists of S. T. S. J. ROLLO, Director of Sales and Exchanges of Ex- hibitors Mutual, who has been named secretary of the Clark-Cornelius Corpo- ration. Stephens, formerly general supervisor of Exhibitors Mutual Exchanges; M. J. Mintz of Chicago, E. H. Wells of New York and M. Harlam Starr of Detroit. H. C. Cornelius, who was actively identified with the affairs of Exhibitors Mutual, as vice-president, will continue with Clark-Cornelius Corporation. His brother, L. A. Cornelius, who was a director and a large stockholder in Ex- hibitors Mutual, is vice-president of the new company. The former executive organization of Exhibitors Mutual will have charge of the Clark-Cornelius Corporation. The personnel is as follows: President — William J. Clark. Vice-President — L. A. Cornelius. Secretary — S. J. Rollo. Treasurer — H. C. Cornelius. Assistant Treasurer — Colvin W. Brown. General Manager — Walter K. Plumb. Were With Exhibitors Mutual Mr. Rollo was connected with Exhibi- tors Mutual in the capacity of director of sales and exchanges and was largely responsible for its successful selling campaign. Mr. Brown was connected with Exhibitors Mutual in the capacity of director of publicity and Mr. Plumb joined the Exhibitors Mutual after a successful war-term service as execu- tive secretary of the National Tanners' Council. The productions released by Exhibi- tors Mutual in the past will be distrib- uted through the Hallmark exchanges under the supervision of the Clark-Cor- nelius Corporation. These pictures in- clude the series of Edna Goodrich and Gail Kane productions and a series of five specials featuring Mary Miles Min- ter, Margarita Fisher and William Rus- sell, together with the specials, "La Fayette We Come," "The Eleventh Commandment" and "The Girl of My Dreams." "GreatjGamble" Serial Keeping Up Fast Pace Still traveling along as fast as k was on release date last August, the Pathe- Western Photoplays serial, "The Great Gamble," co-starring Anne Luther and Charles Hutchison, is ably living up to its reputation. Twelve weeks after release date "The Great Gamble" had been more than "put across" by sixteen of Pathe's thirty-two branch offices. Four of these offices had exceeded their quota of sales and twelve had reached quota. The others are rap- idly nearing the mark. "The'Shimmy Gym" in Next Cuckoo Comedy The next publication in the series of Cuckoo Comedies which is being dis- tributed by the United Picture Theatres of America has been titled "The Shimmy Gym." The greater portion of the action oc- curs in a gymnasium whither several middle-aged men have gone for the ex- ercise which it is hoped will restore their failing health. A number of young ldaies are found in the gymnasium, the usual one-piece gym suits predominat- ing, and complications follow. An air- plane and a crematory also figure in the storv. Doris Keane to Appear In Griffith Production Doris Keane, who has returned from London after an engagement of two years' duration in "Romance," the stage play by Edward Sheldon, has joined the D. W. Griffith forces and will appear in the leading role of his production of that stage play. The star and her husband, Basil Sydney, will join D. W. Griffith in Miami, Florida, where it is believed the exteriors for the play will be photo- graphed. No announcement has been made as to the supporting cast or other details to date. 72 CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG Whose first Equity production "Eyes of Youth," is to be given an elaborate New York premier sit the Kivoli, beginning November 30. "Eyes of Youth" to Be Shown at Rivoli Equity Pictures Corporation has an- nounced the New York premier at the Rivoli Theatre, November 30, of Clara Kimball Young in Max Marcin's stage success, "Eyes of Youth," made under the executive direction of Harry Garson and personally directed by Albert Par- ker. Hugo Reisenfeld, who thinks "Eyes of Youth" the greatest picture he has ever looked at will personally supervise the decorations of the house. A pro- logue and an elaborate musical score have been rehearsed to elaborate the presentation. The engagement of Miss Young at the Rivoli is of special interest in that "Eyes of Youth" is the first production to be put in at either the Rialto or Rivoli Theatres since these houses were taken over by the Zukor interests. "Inferior Sex" Will Be Shown in January Louis B. Mayer, at present on the West coast, has announced that "The Inferior Sex," which will introduce Mildred Harris Chaplin as a First Na- tional star, will have its first showing in New York for the middle of January. The supporting cast includes Milton Sills, Mary Alden, Bertram Grassby, John Steppling and James O. Barrows. Joseph Henaberry directed. The story is from the stage play by Frank Stay- ton, in which Maxine Elliott appeared. Titles New Comedy Sydney Chaplin, producing star of Fa- mous Players-Lasky Corporation, an- nounced this week the title of his first comedy production under his new mil- lion-dollar contract. It is "One Hundred Million," from a story by the screen star himself. -EXHIBITORS HERALD piillliliiiiiiiiliiillliuiiniiiiniliniiiiiH I NEILAN ASSEMBLES HIS PLAYERS | Lewis Stone, Marjorie Daw, J ane Novak, Wesley Barry, J. Barney Sherry, Charles West, and Yama Mata Included in List of Well K nown Actors iiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiii^ Marshall Ncilan has assembled his organization for the presentation of the characters in his independent produc- tions, the first of which is now rapidly nearing completion. In obtaining his talent Mr. Xeilan has drawn from both the stage and the screen worlds. Each player is individually known to the pub- lic as an established artist. Lewis Stone's engagement by Mr. Xeilan, which was recently announced, follows a short return to the legitimate stage before which he appeared in many successful photoplays among which are included "Man's Desire," "The Man of Bronze" and "Inside the Lines." Will Star Marjorie Daw Marjorie Daw, who has also recently signed with Mr. Neilan, attracted par- ticular attention as leading lady for Douglas Fairbanks in six of his most successful pictures. Miss Daw by her work in such pictures as "The Jaguar's Claws," "He Comes Up Smiling," "The Knickerbocker Buckaroo" and others, has earned the right to be classed with the best leading ladies of the screen. A new member of the Neilan company is J. Barney Sherry, who by his years of experience on the legitimate stage and his seven years of service with Thomas H. Ince during which he was featured in many photoplays, has gained a reputa- tion as a character actor. Mr. Sherry has just signed with Mr. Neilan. Jane Novak Is Secured Jane Novak, one of the most popular leading ladies of the screen, and who has played opposite such stars as William S. Hart, Charles Ray, Sessue Hayakawa and others, is another new acquisition to the Neilan troupe. Before her engage- ment by Mr. Neilan, Miss Novak's best work was evidenced in such popular screen hits as "Wagon Tracks," "Selfish Yates," "The Eyes of the World," "The Claws of the Hun," "A Nine O'Clock Town," "String Beans," "The Tiger Man" and "Man's Desire." Mr. Neilan's most recent acquisition is in the person of Charles West, one of the pioneer actors of motion pictures, and who will be remembered as playing opposite Mary Pickford, Dorothy Ber- nard. Mabel Xormand, Blanche Sweet and others in the old Grimth-Biograph days. His most recent appearance on the screen were in "His Divorced Wife," with Monroe Salisbury, just released, and "The Phantom Melody." To Feature Wesley Barry Wesley Barry, the freckle-faced young- ster, "discovered" by Marshall Neilan several years ago, is another valuable asset to the Xeilan troupe. Wesley, bet- ter known around the studio as "Dinty," attracted considerable attention in "Daddy-Long-Legs," "The Unpardon- able Sin," and other successes. Young Barry will be featured in the near future in Booth Tarkington's famous "Penrod" stories, to be produced by Mr. Neilan. Yama Mata, the distinguished Japanese actor, has also just been signed by Mr. Xeilan. Mata has appeared in many motion picture triumphs and is consid- ered a second Hayakawa in West Coast producing circles. Mr. Xeilan, accompanied by his entire producing organization. will shortly journey to Canada to do the exteriors for his initial independent production. It is expected that this film will be fin- ished within the next three weeks at which time a new production will be started which is said to be an adaption of a famous Broadway comedy success. Prizma Enlarges Floor Space to Meet Demands Prizma Natural Color Pictures during the past sixty days, according to report from the Republic Distributing Corp., handling Prizma productions, have in- creased their business over two hundred per cent, .which has necessitated the ad- dition of floor space for the third time in eight months. From now on, it is announced, ad- vertising accessories will also be pro- vided to heighten the general interest in the color pictures published by this con- cern. It is added, as a matter of inter- est, that Prizma pictures have been shown at the Capitol theatre, New York's new playhouse, since its opening and is contracted for for fifty-two weeks. New Fairbanks Feature Booked for Long Runs "When the Clouds Roll By," Douglas Fairbanks' second contribution to the United Artists schedule, has been con- tracted for a fortnight's run at the Rialto and Rivoli theatre. New York during the weeks of December 25 and January 5. Dr. Hugo Reisenfeld, managing direc- tor of both theatres, is planning an ex- traordinary presentation and musical program for the engagement. It is the first time that a new Douglas Fair- banks picture will have been played at at the theatres during the holiday weeks and extreme measures will be taken to make the event a notable one. Selznick Signs Writer Ella Stevens Carson, a screen writer whose contributions include "The Law of Men," "Mother's Boy," "The Best Man," and "Love Letters," has been signed by Myron Selznick and is writing the screen version of "Keep Them Guessing" in which it is planned to star Olive Thomas. Kastner Not Interested W. W. Kofeldt, manager of the Lib- erty theatre at Wenatchee, Wash., has written Exhibitors Herald asking that it be stated that Walter Kastner has no interest in the playhouse. The theatre was erected at a cost of $150,000 by the Wenatchee Investment company. John Barrymore 111 John Barrymore is suffering from a severe case of grippe, but despite his physician's orders to the contrary he has insisted upon doing his scenes for "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." A NEW D. W. GRIFFITH PRODUCTION REACHES SCREEN EXHIBITORS HERALD Six First National Productions To Be Published Before January 26 9 9 1 • * V T Before January 26 First National Ex- hibitors' Circuit will publish six attrac- tions of special importance, including the third Mary Pickford feature from her own studios and a D. W. Griffith special production. "Heart o' the Hills," starring Mary Pickford, was published on November 17, affording exhibitors excellent oppor- tunity for booking it as a Thanksgiving week or Christmas week feature. Second MacDonald Feature Probably one of the strongest society dramas to be published this fall is "The Beauty Market," starring Katherine Mac- Donald, generally termed "the most beautiful woman in the world," and billed throughout the nation as "The American Beauty." This production shows the star at her best and affords her ample opportunity for the display of her his- trionic talent. Its advance bookings have already exceeded those of "The Thun- derbolt," her initial starring vehicle through First National. The release date of this feature is December 1. Unquestionably the most ambitious of the Anita Stewart productions to date is "In Old Kentucky," the famous Amer- ican racing classic, directed personally by Marshall Neilan. This production will be ready for release by December 15. Abounding with an unusual amount of local color obtained by establishing an entire production force in the heart of the Kentucky mountains, as a depiction of life in Kentucky, this attraction stands unsurpassed. New Chaplin December 22 December 22 has been set as the re- lease date for Charlie Chaplin's fourth million-dollar production through First National. A drastic departure from the subtle comedy of "Sunnyside" and other releases is made in this attraction. On December 29, D. W. Griffith's initial special attraction for First Na- tional, entitled "The Greatest Question" will be released. This attraction, pre- senting in vivid form the most agitated and discussed thought of the day, pro- vides exhibitors with unprecedented ex- ploitation material in addition to the work of the master director. Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, George Fawcett and other well-known Griffith players are in the cast. In addition to the foregoing it is likely that one or two independent special fea- ture attractions will be released by First National. Only Two Characters In Vitagraph Picture Another of the O. Henry stories, "While the Auto Waits," has been com- pleted at Vitagraph's Brooklyn studio. The story is unique in that it has but twcr characters. The roles in the pic- ture version are played by Ethel Flem- ming, who recently played the leading feminine role in another O. Henry sub- ject, "The Church With the Overshot Wheel," and Regan Stewart. More Territory Sold For "Lightning Bryce" The Arrow Film Corporation reports the sale of their serial, "Lightning Bryce," featuring Ann Little and Jack Hoxie, for the territory of Ohio, Michi- gan and Kentucky, to the Standard Film Company of Cleveland. The serial is playing in a downtown house in Milwaukee that heretofore would not run serials. ALICE BRADY Kealart star, as she appeared on the Pro- gram Cover of a Singapore. India, Mo- tion Picture Theatre. The decorations around the picture are characters that the folks in Singapore understand to refer to Miss Brady's popularity as a Realart star. Selznick Adds Players Ida Darling, who has appeared in many films, and William N. Bailey, now appearing in Washington in a stage pro- duction, "Forbidden," have signed con- tracts to appear exclusively in Selznick productions. Alice Joyce Completes Work on Two Features and Starts New Production GEORGE Li. COX "Who is directing; "Plying; A" productions at Santa Barbara, Calif. With one special production nearing publication, another completed and be- ing assembled, and a third well in the making, Alice Joyce is ending up the present year. The warm and sometimes unfavorable weather and the vacation period played havoc with Miss Joyce's plans during the summer but now mat- ters have adjusted themselves and the publication of her features will come with their accustomed regularity. Given Pre-Release Showing "The Vengeance of Durand" will be the next Alice Joyce special production to be shown, coming the latter part of this month. This is the photoplay adapted from Rex Beach's story by Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester. It had a pre-release showing at the B. F. Moss Broadway theatre where it was accepted as one of the best of the many features Miss Joyce has made under the direction of Vitagraph. Tom Terriss directed the picture. "Slaves of Pride" was completed about three weeks ago so far as the camera work is concerned. This is an adapta- tion by William B. Courtney of a novel and was directed by George Terwilliger. Miss Joyce has the support of a com- pany including Percy Marmont, who is again Miss Joyce's leading man; Louise Baudet, Templer Saxe, G. V. Seyffertitz and Charles A. Stevenson. It will be published early in the new year. 74 Film Drury Lane Play "The Sporting Duchess," the Drury Lane spectacle on which Miss Joyce is now at work, will be one of the most pretentious productions made by Vita- graph in several months. Miss Joyce and her supporting company have spent three weeks in the vicinity of Stamford. Conn., and Rye, N. Y., making some of the outdoor scenes. This week the com- pany will go to the Little Belmont race track, on Long Island, where there is a turf track, and where the race scenes will be made. Hundreds of extra peo- ple will be used in these scenes. From there the company will go to the vicin- ity of Upper Montclair, N. J., where additional outdoor scenes will be made. Meantime several interiors, one costing several thousands of dollars, are being constructed at the Brooklyn studio. Lincoln Begins Work on Second "U" Serial Word has been received from the West coast to the effect that Elmo Lin- coln, star in "Elmo the Mighty," Uni- versal serial, has begun production upon another chapter-play under the working title of "Fighting Through." This fol- lows close upon the completion of a feature-length production, "The Beach Comber," in which the athletic star has the leading role. EXHIBITORS HERALD WILLIAM DESMOND IN "THE BLUE BANDANNA" Three scenes from the current Robertson-Cole production in which Desmond takes the part of a New York millionaire who goes West in search of health and finds romance and plenty of thrills. Exhibitors Organize to Exclude Advertising From Their Screens New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Theatre Owners Head Movement to Curtail ' 'Objectionable Advertising Films and Inserts" With an announced purpose of pro- tecting the screen of the theatre "against its common abuse by the display of ob- jectionable advertising films and adver- tising inserts," exhibitors of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio are fostering a new national exhibitors' organization, with Fred J. Herrington as field organ- izer. Up to date, it is announced, state and city organizations in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, North and Soutn Dakota, Wis- consin, Missouri and Illinois have been enlisted. Committee Is Announced The details of the plan are being per- fected and an announcement will be made shortly by the committee com- posed of the following: Sydney S. Cohen, Sam I. Herman, Chas. O'Reilly, New York. Fred J. Herrington, Pennsylvania. Sam Bullock, W. J. Slimm, H. H. Lustig, Ohio. King Perry, Peter J. Jeup, Michigan. The committee h^s sent out a gen- eral announcement to exhibitors through- out the country asking them to refrain from signing any contract which will permit industrial films, advertising films, or advertising inserts being shown upon their screens. Eliminates Advertising Films The movement is declared to be in no sense a destructive one; it is in- tended to be constructive. The purpose is to eliminate many objectionable ad- vertising films and inserts that have been deliberately placed upon the screen of the exhibitor without his knowledge un- til they had been run and considered part of his show. \ Sydney S. Cohen of the New York State League has been appointed tem- porary chairman of the committee and Sam Bullock "of Cleveland, secretary. Herrington was in Chicago November 24 on field work for the organization. To Public "The Suspect" Vitagraph will publish one more Anita Stewart feature before the end of the year, "The Suspect." It was written by H. W. J. Dam, and the scenario made by S. Rankin Drew, who was killed in France during the recent war, and who was a son of Sidney Drew, Vita- graph star, who died recently. Film Aids Charitable Campaign in Cleveland One of the factors included in the drive for funds which is an annual event in Cleveland, O., the Community Chest Drive, which was held during the week of November 18, was a two reel motion picture made for the occasion by the Argus Enterprises. Robert McLaughlin wrote the story of the film, which centers about the three allegorical characters, Faith, Hope and Charity; and "The Greatest of These'' was the name aptly chosen. It was ex- hibited at every motion picture theatre in Cleveland during the week of the campaign. Foreign Rights Sold The International Variety and Theat- rical Agency has purchased "A White Man's Chance" and "A Joyous Liar," Robert Brunton productions featuring J. Warren Kerrigan, and "The Blue Bon- net," starring Billie Rhodes, for China, Tndia, Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlement, the Dutch East Indies and South Africa. Myron Selznick Creates Talk By Erecting Mysterious Sign Is Myron Selznick unknown star on XEW YORK about to spring Broadway? Speculation was aroused and much interest was evoked among the many sidewalk sightseers and Broadway pro- fessional folk who stood and watched a handsome and impressive electric sign which had sprung up overnight at the corner of Broadway and 46th Street. It read, "Gloria Dawn," in flickering blue and amber lights, and is coupled with a sign bearing the Selznick mark. Sign Three Stories High The sign is more than three stories in height, almost square, and looks as if it were built there to stay. Various sur- mises on the part of picture fans as to 75 the possible meaning of the sign agreed on one thing — they did not know what it was all about but it looked as if Myron Selznick had another surprise to ,-pring on the public. Is Real Broadway Mystery When Myron Selznick announced a year in advance that he was going to star Zena Keefe, it was admittedly an unusual and daring experiment in star making. But to spring Gloria Dawn, a "Dark Horse" totally unannounced on the wisest and most critical show street in the world, is a stunt worth watching. However, Myron Selznick is not talk- ing, and the real story of Miss Gloria Dawn must wait until next week. It looks, though, as if a sixth star was about to be added to the distinguished group of Selznick luminaries. EXHIBITORS HERALD Indiana Exhibitor Books Henley Film For Ten Days Run Hobart Henley's "The Gay Old Dog," starring John Cumberland of stage fame, is establishing an enviable record, ac- cording to reports from Pathe. Exhib- itors, who never booked a picture for more than three or four days, are giving full week stays to "The Gay Old Dog," which provides multiple avenues of ex- ploitation. F. G. Heller, manager of the Starland Theatre, Anderson, Ind., paid tribute to the production when he booked it for a ten day run, after he had seen it pro- jected. Mr. Heller paid a figure that would be extraordinary for him under usual circumstances for his house seats only eight hundred persons. Anderson has a population of 23,000 persons, but Mr. Heller believes he will draw many thousands from nearby points; for, in his own \vords, he has "the greatest picture of the year, clean, wholesome, entertain- ing, and with a human punch and truth- fulness that not more than two pictures released this year possess." The picture has been booked over the entire David Picker circuit, while Wil- liam Fox has placed the picture in his Academy, Nemo, Japanese Gardens and Adelphi theatres. The United Booking Office staged it at Keith's Palace in Port Richmond. Among other high class first run theatres which have booked the produc- tion are the Majestic, Mobile, Valentine, Toledo, Euclid, Cleveland, Lynch The- atre in Birmingham; Signal Amusement Company, Chattanooga; Strong, Burling, Vt. ; the Loew Circuit, including the Bur- land, Bijou, 86th Street, Circle, New York, 7th Avenue, 116th Street, 42nd Street, and the Broadway; American, Pottsville, Lyric, Shenandoah; Rialto, New London, Castle, Bloomington, 111.; Eagle. Manchester; Victoria, Wilming- ton; Ohio, Indianapolis; New Erie, Kan- sas City; Rivoli, Columbia; Strand, New Brunswick; Strand, Evansville, Ind.; Lyric, Fitchburg; Gaiety, Kankakee; Dome, New Castle; Rex, Racine; Palace, Pittsburg; Old South, Boston; Broad- way, Chelsea; Waldorf, Waltham, and Waldorf, Lynn; Empress, Omaha; Cran- dall's York and 9th Street Theatres, Washington; Liberty, Springfield, Ohio; Flatbush, New York; New Strand and New Grand, New York City. Studios One Year Old The big Metro studios in Hollywood were one year old last week. On No- vember 6, 1918, ground was broken on the vacant block northwest of Cahuenga avenue and Romaine street by Clifford P. Butler, now general superintendent. Janis Film Ready "The Imp," Elsie Janis' second pro- duction for Selznick, has been com- pleted and is now being cut by Robert Ellis, who directed it. It is thought that Mr. Ellis will next direct Eugene O'Brien. Fawcett Joins Vitagraph George Fawcett, for many years one of the best known character actors on stage and screen, has joined Vitagraph's staff of directors and will direct Corinne Griffith in her next feature. Who's Who In Chicago Film Circles Intimate Studies of Men Who Have Made Their Marks in the Motion Picture Business in the Central West F. O. NIELSEN FO. NEILSEN, whose intimates ad- dress him as Frank, has "played the * game," as he puts it, "from every side of the table." He is a man well fitted by practical experience for his present position as President of F. O. Neilsen Feature Films, temporarily lo- cated at 1002 Century Building, Chicago, with offices at 1302 Consumers Building being made ready for occupancy. Mr. Neilsen made his entry into the industry by building the Kimball thea- tre on Fullerton Ave., Chicago, one of the first theatres to be built in the city solely for motion picture purposes. Three reels of pictures, an illustrated song and a spotlight singer made up the show. The admission charged was five cents. The theatre met with success from the opening night. That was in 1910. A year later he sold the Kimball and built the Parkway, at. Clark and Diver- sey, modelling it after the Lyric theatre in Minneapolis, Minn., then operated by S. L. Rothapfel. Success was a little slow in coming to the Parkway, but a trip to Minneapolis and a conference with Rothapfel as to presentation poli- cies brought the desired result. In 1914 Mr. Neilsen deserted the box office and lobby to take over "The Spoil- ers," Selig's famous Klondyke story, for five states. The success of this picture needs no comment. Quitting the industry for a short period, he returned as Triangle sales- man in Minneapolis, later in Chicago. Then "Mickey" was given a private screening in New York. Mr. Neilsen was present. The Mickey Film Co., in which he was associated with Arthur Lowey and Ludwig Schindler, was formed to distribute the film in Illinois. Mr. Neilson's latest acquisition, and the picture with which F. O. Neilsen Feature Films begins its career, is "Some One Must Pay." an Ivan Abram- son production featuring Gail Kane, Ed- mund Breese, Jackie Saunders and Hugh Thompson. He controls the rights for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minneapo- lis, North and South Dakota. He selected it with the same judgment that he se- lected "Mickey" and "The Spoilers." That it may be as successful is the hope of all who know him. REALART STAR SCORES (Continued from page 66) themselves have been immune to the charms of the new star. To prove it he publishes a few of the messages commending "E r s t w h i 1 e Susan." The following is a telegram from the Majestic Theatre, Columbus, Ohio, Max Stern, proprietor: Constance Binney in "Erstwhile Susan" just opened a week's engagement at the Majestic and was received with enthusiasm. Given the proper vehicles we predict a 'brilliant screen career for Constance Binney. Rcalart is to be congraluted upon having a star who has all the attributes necessary to screen success. Message From O. A. Potter O. A. Potter of the Columbia Amuse- ment Company, Erie, Pa., wired: Was much pleased with "Erstwhile Susan." Patrons also expressed their satisfaction when leaving theatre. Miss Binney's work very com- mendable. A splendid story with intelligent direc- tion. East and west were not far apart in the expression of appreciation for Miss Binney. This proves, in the opinion of Realart officials, that an appealing star and a good vehicle are nourishment for any box office, no matter in what cli- mate. From the American Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, a picture palace that seats 3100 persons, came the fol- lowing message: Constance Binney great. My people fell in love with her. If "Erstwhile Susan" sample of Real- art I am one hundred per cent for Realart pic- tures. Another telegraphic comment, from J. W. Trunk of the Dome Theatre, Youngstown, Ohio, is as follows: "Erstwhile Susan" more than went over. Every- body pleased. Many came twice. Miss Binney has brilliant future. N. E. Bernower of the Alhambra The- ater, Canton, Ohio, and J. G. Meyers of the Majestic Theatre, Williamsport. Pa., also wired President Kane to tell him of the success which met the show- ing of "Erstwhile Susan" at their thea- tres. N. E. Bernower's Statement "We just finished a four-day run of your production, 'Erstwhile Susan,' with Constance Binney," says Mr. _ Bernower. "It was a pleasing picture in every way and we heard lots of good comment on it. The results were very, very grati- fying and we feel confident of the suc- cess of Realart." Mr. J. G. Meyers of the Majestic The- atre, Williamsport, Pa., booked and played "Erstwhile Susan" on short no- tice and has advised Realart that his clientele "was greatly pleased with the first Realart shows. You can be as- sured," he adds, "that we will make a real name for Realart pictures, which certainly are real pictures." 76 EXHIBITORS HERALD iiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiinHiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiHiiiiiii Edith Storey iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiii (ROBERTSON-COLE) EXHIBITORS HERALD imHHiiimuuoiu "- [ OF PICTURES OF THE WEEK Jiiilliilliimiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii minimi r t u ■ r 1 1 1 1 1 1 h u 1 1 1 1 1 m n n u m i : : ; n u 1 1 1 1 m h e < i i u a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 n I ! 1 1 1 n i n r ! : i l : 1 1 r n 1 1 1 ] 1 1 n 1 ! m 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 11 1 1 1 1 J I i [ I M : 1 1 1 1 1 n i ] ■ t l J J < e 1 1 s i [ i l j i : g l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 REDUCED admissions, more than any other one cause, have been responsible for such failures as have occurred in the exhibiting business. To the generally healthy condition of the industry, rather than to any other circumstance, must be attributed the exceptionally low percentage of these failures. The reasoning which leads an exhibitor who is temporarily frightened by dwindling patronage to re- duce his scale of admissions is simple and. so far as surface appearances go, logieal. It springs from economy, hinges upon conservation, operates by way of reduction of output and income. One reduc- tion aggravates the other, the result being a general decline in ledger accounts eventually approximat- ing zero. Exactly the opposite' course has exactly the op- posite effect. When patronage slumps, as it is bound to do at times, that is the cue to increase admission prices, advertising and expense. Build a better show. If that is not possible, build a longer one. Adver- tise it as never before. Charge a higher admission. People respect a purchase according to the price they pay for it. That is an apparently arbitrary but an invariable rule. It is founded upon human nature. Exhibitor successes that stand out from the mass are largely clue to its observance. "THE MYSTEBY OF THE YELLOW BOOM" (Bealart) should be used as the initial Bealart pro- duction by exhibitors who plan to make this schedule a permanent feature of their program. It is mystery drama of the best sort, logical, mystifying, well plotted and interesting from beginning to end. Emile Chau- tard directed and his name is featured. A well chosen cast carry out his instructions to excellent effect. "COUNTERFEIT" ( Paramount- Artcraft) is sub- stantial and entertaining drama of the Elsie Ferguson type, yet a distinct improvement over her past half dozen or more publications. It has more plot body, more action, yet contains the fine atmosphere and eye-filling settings and costumes that have character- ized all of her pictures. It should score an un- qualified success. "A FUGITIVE FEOM MATRIMONY" (Jesse D. I lainpton-Bobertson-Cole) provides something new in H. B. Warner vehicles. It is comedy-drama, with the first section of the hyphenation heavily stressed. That the star, with the able assistance of Seena Owen and a capable cast registers complete satisfaction in it is a tribute to his acting ability. "THE ISLE OF CONQUEST" (Selznick-Select) maintains the high standard of Norma Talmadge pro- ductions. The star appears to excellent advantage in a play admirably suited to her talents. Edward Jose directed, and his long career has brought the screen no better work. "DAWN" (Pathe) bears the mark of J. Stuart Blackton's handiwork. It is produced with the usual care and attention to detail which is his specialty. Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon, son of the well known Julia Swayne Gordon, are the featured play- ers. Both make capital of the material given them. "'LASCA" (Universal) provides food for thought. It is a picturization of a poem, and poems have been touched upon but lightly by picture makers to date. Edith Boberts and Frank Mayo have the chief roles. The story is doubtless familiar. It has been done in characteristic Universal style. "ANNE OF GBEEN GABLES" (Realart) will amuse and entertain any and all types of theatregoers. It is small town fiction of the best type, and has book history that argues well for its patronage. Mary Miles Minter, if she continues in the manner of her first Realart production, will make her publications popular and profitable. "IT PAYS TO ADVEBTISE" (Paramount- Art- craft) in addition to being a very fine Bryant Wash- burn comedy, holds unusual advertising and exploita- tion possibilities. It should be booked for a long run, exploited extensively and presented with suitable supporting features. It justifies such a procedure. "THE TOWER OF JEWELS" (Vitagraph) should fulfill expectations built up by "The Climb- ers" the recent Corinne Griffith-Vitagraph success. It is a crook story, but of the better class, admirably executed in all departments. "FIGHTING CBESSY" (Jesse D. Hampton- Pathe) brings Bret Harte's widely read book "Cressy" to the screen without loss of the entertainment quali- ties which made it popular. Blanche Sweet is the star and is well qualified for the work in hand. The play is well produced and should satisfy completely. "THE STEEL KING" (World) stars Montagu Love and June Elvidge in a play typical of the World studios. Both players perform with characteristic ease in roles well suited to their abilities. It is a story of love, men, money and revenge, and should please where plays of the jiature are the order of things. iiiM ORCHESTRA ^ of ^JH/SQiOISTS WILLIAM FOX ISIS LAST TIMES TODAY DOROTHY DALTON CHAS. RAY LOUISE. GLAUM Commonplace announcements are made to seem of great importance and at- tract attention of the most desirable sort when made up in this dignified style. The Rivoli theatre, Denver, is the contributor. 83 "The Miracle Man," George Loane Tucker's picturization of George M. Cohan's stage success, profited by the experience of the two previous publications. The newspaper spread was used widely and with good ef- fect. The stunt exploitation was also remarkably successful. It was a pic- ture well suited to both methods of advertising. "It Pays to Advertise" is the ex- hibitor's opportunity to make his edi- tor his friend for life. A Feasible Plan Suppose, for a moment, that you are an exhibitor who has the picture booked for some day a month from now. Why not go to your editor, ac- quaint him with the nature of the story, which is a preachment for ad- vertising generally, and suggest that he join you in an enterprise calcu- lated to increase his advertising in- come and your box office receipts. Point out to him the advisability of a teaser campaign started three or four weeks before the playing date. He will be doing himself and you a good turn by running in his paper a series of boxes containing the simple statement, "It Pays to Advertise." Let this continue for several days, the boxes increasing in size. Then, with the aid of the editor or advertising manager, ask the regular advertisers to run boxes very similar to those already used, adding simply EXHIBITORS HERALD "I'll say it does" — and the advertis- er's signature or the name of his store or organization. The Cooperative Angle After a day or two of this, per- suade these regular advertisers, who are always looking for a new angle to "liven up" their advertisements, to bring the box, or the line, into their regulation displays, making it read something like this. "It Pays to Advertise." "That's why Wilson's Dry Goods Store sold those bargain waists to three thou- sand women last Thursday. That's why we're advertising the greatest bargain in petticoats ever offered the ladies of this city to go on sale to- morrow." About this time, or maybe a little before, an editorial upon the general subject of advertising will have good effect. Arthur Brisbane, whose "To- day" column in the Hearst newspa- pers is frequently referred to as the best editorial column in American journalism, has given the subject space. There should be no difficulty in persuading your editor to do like- wise. Using Billboards A week or more before the open- ing of the engagement the billboards should be given attention. Most of the paper provided for the picture is of a nature admirably suited to the purpose. The spirit of advertising is prominently featured. But it may be well to have a series of one-sheets intimately connected with the local campaign made up and posted on every available space. Here again the merchants should cooperate by using like methods. Their one-sheets need not be iden- tified with the theatre or the picture save by the use of the title as one line of copy. It can be made to seem that a city-wide campaign for more and better advertising has been in- augurated, with the support of the newspaper and the merchants. This is the impression that should be created. Newspaper stories hav- ing to do with the subject will aid greatly. Considering the increased revenue that the advertising pages, by reason of the drive, will bring, some latitude should be given the writer of these. The Climax When the interest is at fever heat, as the press book writers, say, though fever heat must be inter- preted, of course, as a comparative term, the whole body of merchant CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG In the Wonder Picture T?*t*~ /.V^-.J-U. Is the Greatest D HyeS of I OUtll Ever Screened $300,000 Production Finest Cast Most Elaborate Sets IT IS THE FIRST PERFECT SCREEN DRAMA STARTING NEXT SUNDAY The rama CD) Yn Running upon a page far removed from the motion picture section of a Chicago daily paper, this unique and attractive display drove home the conviction that the Playhouse engagement of "Eyes of Youth" must be a picture event of ex- traordinary importance. advertisers should be grouped into a single advertising supplement to be run in the issue preceding the open- ing of the play. Something more than double-page tie-ups should be possible. An eight, ten or twelve page supplement is not beyond the pale of probability. The result of such a campaign is a many-sided one. You will have profited, by the big business assured your theatre. The newspaper will have profited by the extra advertising effected. The merchant advertisers who take part in the enterprise, by rea- son of the wide notice given the whole, will profit in proportion. Incidentally, advertising in your town will have been stimulated. It will never sink back to quite the old level. The reading element will have been brought to a keener apprecia- tion of the value of advertising, and their attention in future will be more sharply drawn to the advertising pages. There is a splendid opportunity in "It Pays to Advertise" to prove to the public that the title states an im- portant truth. It should be at once a box office success and a perma- nent force for good. 84 Detached Space Bought By Chicago Advertiser Shouting from house tops is out of date. But the principle which prompted it is the principle re- sponsible for publicity of all varie- ties. It can never go out of style. A new angle on exhibitorial pub- licity is always of interest. The one here described is especially "Eyes of Youth," Clara Kimball Young's Equity production, opened an indefinite engagement at the Playhouse, Chicago, on November 22. An adver- tising campaign of unusual proportions preceded the opening. Chicago news- papers carried news items regarding the engagement. The theatrical advertising pages were given display ads of unusual dimensions. But the important step forward that was taken involved the placing of three- column display announcements on pages ordinarily free from theatre advertising. We are reproducing one of these, orig- inally of three-column width, which was accorded excellent position and un- doubtedly caught the attention of a great many readers who would not otherwise have been informed of the coming en- gagement. There is sound business judgment be- hind this sort of thing. The practice should be widely adopted. EXHIBITORS HERALD McCormick Breaks With Tradition In Advertising "The Thunderbolt" A Wonderful New Star s Coming To the Circle Next Week -You'll Call Her "The American Beauty" ^wStt OF THE ULENT ART First unit in a series of splendidly de- signed teaser displays used by S. Bar- ret McCormick to introduce Katherine MacDonald to his patronage. Original three columns wide. Merit scores. Football, literature, business. It is al- ways the same. The man who possesses real ability leads. His name is in the public mind and on the public tongue. Naturally, it appears frequently in the pub- lic prints. S. Barrett McCormick is a name that promises to dominate the American exhib- itorial body. It has always been a promi- nent one. Ever since his Circle theatre at Indianapolis opened its doors, a little over three years ago, his newspaper advertise- ments have been widely copied and com- mented upon. Always has that comment been favorable. Last week it was our good fortune to be able to write the story of his Mister Smith's Theatre, something new in theatredom and a great step forward when considered from the advertiser's standpoint. We thought, with justification, that it would be some time before even his fertile brain could create anything to rival this event in im- portance. But we were wrong. Herewith we are presenting two of the finest motion picture advertisements that it has fallen to our lot to reproduce since the inauguration of the Exhibitors Bureau. There is no need to tell you to look them over carefully, for you have doubtless done so already. They are advertisements of the sort that "won't wait." You've already read them and formed your opinion of them, doubtless a good one. These advertisements, three columns wide and of proportionate height in the original, do not represent such gigantic enterprise as did the "Mister Smith" advertisements dis- played last week. But they are not one whit less noteworthy. Just as the business of building and naming theatres passed a milestone when Mr. McCormick started the career of his new theatre, so has display advertising for motion pictures "turned a corner" with the publication of these American Beauty com- positions. There can be no over-estimating of the ability of the man who builds a Brook- lyn bridge. But because one man has built a structure of that colossal nature is not sufficient reason for the slighting of the watchmaker who constructs a chronometer that will fit into the head of a lead pencil. Both achievements are phenomenal. None can say which required the more skill. But McCormick is not a "one stunt" man. His new theatre may be compared to the well known Brooklyn span. His American Beauty advertisements may be likened to the watchmaker's fine creation. Circus methods are not beyond the scope of Mr. McCormick's ability. He has used them. And his campaigns have been won- derfully successful. It required finer workmanship to produce the designs here exhibited. And it required the courage of conviction which is born only of success. Katherine MacDonald may be stated, practically without opposition, to be the most typically American beauty in the pub- lic eye. There is no alien cast to her fea- tures. Her name may smack of the blue heather, but no more acceptably American name exists. That she is beautiful, ex- tremely beautiful, there has not been » recorded denial to date. No better method could have been chosen for introducing the star to Indianapolis audiences. McCormick's advertisements, aside from the excellent, suiting of means to ends, mark the appearance of a new and highly desirable trend in motion picture advertis- ing. It steps boldly "out of the rut." It dispenses with the traditional flowery Eng- lish and superlative description. The star is simply presented at her best. It is a best which promises to make her, This is "The American Beauty" — the wonderful new star who comes to the Circle next week. She is Katherine MacDonald great beauty, t t beloved player '^|-"fj JIWNE OF THE SILENTAKT . The star's name is announced in the second unit of the Circle's artistic and effective introductory campaign, also three columns wide. in a little time, a leading screen beauty. As here introduced to Indianapolis there is not a possibility of doubt that her con- quest is considerably more than half won before her first picture is flashed upon the screen. There should be more advertising of this nature. It is distinctly better than the sort that has come to be accepted as typical of the industry. Its impression upon the public cannot be otherwise than good. As in a host of other things, McCormick leads. But he is a leader that none should hesitate to follow. In this case he should be followed by every exhibitor who ad- vertises. Lifting The Bushel Remember th low Room" ad page 91 of our one used by B. tre, New York made it up. A "When a man his fellow man one thing well is "Mystery Of The Yel- that we reproduced on November 8 issue. The S. Moss' Broadway thea- ? We didn't know who nd so we wrote: discovers and reveals for a new way of doing any he has advanced civiliza- TO >ltL LOVERS 5? I THEATRE-COIRS* WMOHWtfffV nee paces cast: ? Co to THe BROADVAY TOMORROW _ AND SEP. e nVSTERV YdtowRooM AN MILE CHAUTARO PRODUCTION ™n.i»s tion, as well as that particular portion of mankind directly influenced by his dis- covery. He has served the purpose for which he was born. He should be cred- ited for the achievement." Well, we've discovered the identity of the author. A friend of his and a reader of Exhibitors Herald knew who did it. But he couldn't get his consent to send us his name. So he informs us, tactfully, that "I violate no confidence in saying' that the advertisement was designed by the exploitation manager for Realart special features. When announcement of his en- gagement in this capacity was made, sev- eral weeks ago, his name was Bert Adler." So the bushel is lifted. And we think enough of the advertisement to re-pro- duce it. The things we said before still hold good. Good work, Mr. Adler. People, and especially amusement seekers, are very much like moths. They like light, lots of it. It is natural to shun dark corners. It is impossible to illuminate your lobby too brightly. There is absolutely no danger of driving anybody away by the glare. There is absolute certainty of drawing people into your lobby by sheer force of its brilliancy. Light up. It is good advertising. 85 EXHIBITORS HERALD Frolic Lobby Presents New Powerful Tie-Up Lobby frames intimately associate the magazine represented and the picture exploited by the new method used at the Frolic theatre, San Francisco, Calif. it appeared in that periodical, were the only points advanced. It was left to the intelligence of the reader to form the conclusion that the play must be aecidedly worth seeing. Exhibitors everywhere can very easily adopt the idea. It is a comparatively simple expedient, yet it accomplishes a very important mission. It should be adopted. And it should be developed, as all suggestions which are adopted are developed, to a high state of perfection. The "tie-up", by which Ameri- canism it has become customary to refer to any advertising measure of cooperative nature, is the chief subject of advertising men's con- versation and thought today. Everybody is trying to think of "a new one to pull." And when an innovation is staged it is seized upon with avidity and cop- ied forthwith. That is the treat- ment that should be accorded the present suggestion. The Frolic theatre, San Francisco, cooperating with the Universal ex- change in that city, recently utilzed three lobby frames and a deal of in- genuity to excellent effect in tieing up with the Cosmopolitan Magazine and Fannie Hurst, novelist. The occasion was the engagement of "The Petal on the Current," a Universal production starring Mary MacLaren. The accompanying reproduction of the photograph taken of the Frolic lobby shows clearly the steps taken and the result obtained. The frame on the left carried the title of the picture, with five pages from the magazine in which the story of the play originally appeared. The middle frame gave simply the name of the pro- ducing company. The third was con- structed to represent a Cosmopolitan cover witli Mary MacLaren's picture as the cover design. No unnecessary wording was included. No extensive attempt was made to con- vince the reader that this was the greatest picture Universal, Mary Mac- Laren or anybody else had ever made. The fact that the story was by Fannie Hurst, a Cosmopolitan writer, and that America Display Style Gets Full Space Value That "there are more ways than one to kill a cat" is, by reason of countless repetitions of the state- ment, a pretty well established fact. And there are more ways than one to get value out of space bought for advertising purposes. A score or more of different meth- ods have been given due promi- nence in these columns. Here's another. The America theatre, Denver, Colo., buys space in substantial lots and gets full value out of every advertisement used. A method that is at once simple and effective brings about this very de- sirable end. The display here reproduced measured four columns wide in the original. The reduced reproduction may make read- ing somewhat more difficult, but the general make-up of the original is pre- served intact. By putting the copy in the white space in the middle of the mat illustra- tion the advertiser has succeeded in forcing the eye to grasp the rather com- prehensive pictorially descriptive mat- ter before the copy is reached. A sort of preparation is thus provided which insures a clearer grasping of copy state- 8fi ments when the copy is read. The psychology of such an arrange- ment is good. The picture of the play's atmosphere, which is really what the illustration consists of, imparts to the beholder a general idea of the type of production under consideration. This greatly diminishes the work to be done by the copy. All that remains to be done is to instill in the mind of the reader a desire to see the play, and that desire is half formed before the copy begins its task. In another America advertisement which was reproduced in these columns some weeks ago, an advertisement for "The Westerners," something very sim- ilar to this arrangement was used. But in the present instance the striking power of the display has been height- ened by the addition of an action still at the top. It is an improvement. The style is good. It can be adopted. It should be adopted. Use girl ushers. Since the war, and because of condi- tions prevailing during its progress, there is a decided popular distaste for men in menial occupations. Boys, of course, are out of the question. Girls are naturally polite. Ushers should be polite. Girls are good to look upon. A gangling youth, and in greater degree, mature men, are particularly unbeauti- ful in uniform. Ushers are advertisements. Use the best. Btliev* You Me! It's Strictly Confidential!" SH! LISTEN, GIRLS!! STRICTLY Confidential^ MADGE KENNEDY » COwn'ver's Finest Thea+rer • . Aherica C^Jways Worth While A four-column display showing the working out of the display policy characteristic of America theatre (Denver) advertising. See article for details. EXHIBITORS HERALD Butte, Mont., Exhibitor Accuses Opposition of Unfair Advertising The following letter from H. A. Albright, proprietor of the American theatre, Butte, Mont., Iiere repro- duced verbatim, reveals advertising tactics which, if practiced as claimed, should be combated zvith the most stringent measures by the industry and every member thereof. Such methods certainly cannot be called showmanship. Sharp practice is a more fitting term. We have been unable to thoroughly investigate the charges made, for various reasons, chief among them the nature of the whole affair, which renders investigation especially diffi- cult. But the fact that Mr. Albright requests that his letter be reproduced in its entirety seems to argue its authenticity. It is but fair, however, that we invite a communication from the Jensen-von Herberg organisation, the same to be published, as is this, un- changed. That zve do herewith. Exhibitors Herald Chicago, 111. Gentlemen: I am writing you of the happenings of the last week which, I am sure, will make interesting reading and at the A TIP TO THE WISE1 Oonf nn/llM aeOROC LOANE TUCKERS PARAMOUNT- ARTCRAFT SPECIAL production. "THE MIRACLE MAN" tuteung at the AMERICAN theater Nov. 17th.), with any inferior picture bearing a title FIXED to resemble it' WAIT TOR THE GENUINE! — Par' -tount Artcraft Picture Corp. RANK AND R-RANK When GEORGE LOANE TUCKER produced his PARAMOUNT ARTCRAFT SPECIAL, "THE MIRACLE MAN- (to be shown at the AMERICAN starting Nov 17th ), he created a motion picture of the highest possible RANK— but— suppose some local ex hibitor, envious of "THE MIRACLE MAN"— of its greatness, should pop up mid say — "Why not change the name of the in ferior feature that I sham next Sunday— make the title resemble closely the genuine production, "THE MIRACLE MAN." and reap a quick harvest from the unsuspecting public?" That is ' RANK' mth the DOUBLE "R"! MORAL— P. T Barnam teas WRONG! BULLS-EYE VS. BULLS YOU When CEORCE LOANE TUCKER produced hi i PARAMOUNT ARTCRAFT SPECIAL . "The MIRACLE MAN" (It- be shown at the AMERICAN theater starting Nov. 17th). he scored the high est point in motion picture perfection— thus hitting the BULLS EYE BUT— suppose some local exhibitor pops un and soys. "Why not lead the people to believe thai the inferior pit lure that I show Sunday is this great production. THE MIRACLE MAN?" 'How can I do it '—simple enough— instead of tut: erlising my picture by it's RIGHT name. I ll manufacture a name that will closely resemble the genuine.' I believe what P. T Barnum said'" MORAL— This exhibitor tuts NO Hulls eye— he Simply-JULLS YOU! Three of the boxes which H. A. Albright, proprietor of the American theatre, Butte, Mont, appended to his regular three-column advertisements to guard against the possibility of "The Miracle Man" being popularly confused with an opposition attrac- tion. same time drive home a moral. This story might be called, "The Theatre vs. the Circus." First of all the facts in the matter. Our year of solid Paramount-Artcraft booking includes, of course, George Tucker's Special, "The Miracle Man." This production to be shown at our theatre, Monday, Nov. 17. Our opposition, The Jensen-Von Her- berg Co., quickly realizing the estab- lished value of the title, "The Miracle Man," decided to beat us to it and make it work for them. Immediately they dug up a picture star- ring a chap that rares around and, in their eyes, DOES MIRACLES. This was a Universal production, "The Brute Breaker." In order show their crafty showmanship they manufactured a name of their own, "A Miracle Man" or "The Brute Breaker." Of course we heard of this almost as quickly as the plan was hatched and doped out our campaign of defense. The moment their first bit of adver- tising appeared on "A Miracle Man" I shot the scatter ads, four at a time and three times a day was the dose. In addition to this I administered a single pill at the conclusion of my regular ad; the first day I called this pill, "A tip to the wise." The second day, "Rank vs. R-Rank," the third, "Bulls-Eye vs. Bulls You." All the while we ran slides on our screen, nicely worded, but a direct ex- pose of the deception. At ten o'clock Friday night we were surprised and pleased to greet Mr. C. L. Winston of Famous Players-Lasky's field force. Mr. Winston immediately picked up the phone and got busy with long distance. Now and then he spoke the words, "New York" and "try his resi- dence," and I think I caught the name "Zukor," too. The following day we scoured the town for signs of advertising for "A Miracle Man," but all evidence HAD WENT. Neither were there any ad- vance ads in the papers, on their screen, or in their lobby. INSTEAD, their big opening ad for the picture bore the un- mistakable traces of the routing ma- chine and, inserted therein was the true title, "The Brute Breaker." They had backed down entirely! Better publicity than this for a pic- ture, I beleive, would be hard to get. For, something worth taking such a chance to steal surely must be good. And, I'm sure, Butte people appreciate this fact, judging from the comments and congratulations. Even the news kids on the street are talking about " 'Da Miracle Man,' 'Da REAL one." Thank you for the stories you have given my ads. I've been so busy that I haven't written my appreciation as each one appeared. By the way, I have an- other nice assortment that I will inclose. I'm sure glad to see the Herald forg- ing ahead as it is. More power. Yours for more success. (Signed) H. A. Albright. 87 ********** An excellent stock border to have on hand for emergencies. Mats or zincs of any size may be made from this print. Convertible Ad Border From Vaudeville House Men who inherit fortunes sel- dom spend great sums in investi- gating the sources from which said legacies come. The fortune is the thing. Few human beings are seriously concerned as to right of possession. The fact is usually regarded as sufficient. It is not the duty of the exhibitor, then, to reject the very excellent stock border which is offered herewith be- cause the Empress theatre, Denver, Colo., a vaudeville house, was first to use it. This organization, of course, deserves a certain thanks for the un- witting contribution. That is accorded herewith, for Exhibitors Herald and its subscribers. As the border appeared in a Denver newspaper of recent date it measured four columns in width. It is here repro- duced in reduced size because the ad- vertiser who wishes to adopt it can have his block or mat made from it as easily as from a larger reproduction. There are a good many reasons why every exhibitor should have a cut or mat of this style in stock. In the first place, it is a thoroughly worth while advertisement as it stands, with the insertion of house copy carry- ing the message you wish to deliver. "Where shall I take her tonight?" is a question that presents itself directly to the man but quite as strongly, though indirectly, to the woman. Both are in- terested, by force of natural circum- stance, in the answer which, it is apparent at first sight, is suggested below the head- ing. Secondly, the ever-recurring emer- gency is readily met by use of the de- sign. When, for any reason, there has not been time to plan your advertising campaign for a certain attraction, no better device can be found than a design of this nature, into which may be EXHIBITORS HERALD thrown straight type copy of whatever nature is desired. It will be noted that the length of the space may be varied by using rules where the side border is broken. Pictorially the design is of high order. Psychologically, it has many good points. But its adaptability is the strongest argument for its use. It is a sufficient one. PaTv\t'.nee9 m A "jazz" advertisement for what has been dubbed a "jazz" picture, used by Hulsey's Palace theatre, Ft. Worth. Tex. Hulsey's "Jazz" Ad Bristles With Life Occasionally, without warning and to the complete and pleasant surprise of all concerned, there appears upon the publication schedule a photoplay that dances and sings its way through the pro- jector and smiles joyfully upon the world from the screen. It is as if the star, director, cast, tech- nicians and all concerned in its making took joy in their work and the story told itself. When such a picture comes along it is always a popular success — providing the exhibitor advertiser does his work properly. Here's an account of an exhibitor who did his work as it should have been done. "Upstairs," Mabel Normand's Gold- wyn production, was playing at Hul- sey's Palace theatre, Ft. Worth, Tex., and the management knew the sort of picture it was. It had nothing to do with seriousness. Yet it wasn't exactly "slap-stick" either. It was that char- acteristic type of comedy with which Mabel Normand's name has come to be associated. And it was fresher, more keenly alive, than any of her previous publications since the renowned "Mickey." "Jazz" was the word that suggested itself to the advertising man after he had seen the picture. The word isn't old enough to have an exact definition, but everybody knows approximately what it means. And practically every- body is interested in it. "A jazz ad," was the next thought, and then imagination began moving too fast to have its steps recorded. The display that resulted is presented herewith. It measured three columns wide in the original. Here it is reduced, but the general nature of it is readily grasped. There is nothing "regular" about it. The lettering is jazz lettering. The stair steps to the right are jazz steps. The copy is written in jazz style. And the word "jazz" is worked in to make sure of registering the desired effect. It would be safe to assume that the Palace audience was largely composed of young people during the showing of the picture. Which is as it should have been. The star is a young people's star. The story and the picture are of like nature in appeal and cast. Jazz is popular. It is a live topic. The Palace advertising man couldn't have done better. 'Romany" Press Book Built For Show Men A campaign book that seems destined to fullfil its purpose, that of aiding the exhibitor in advertising his picture, has been prepared for "Romany, Where Love Runs Wild," to be distributed by World Film exchanges. It has been writ- ten with exhibitor's working conditions in mind and reaches a high point of effi- ciency. The advertising material includes a 24 sheet stand in six colors; six sheets, three sheets, one sheet, advance ones, half sheets, heralds, and other acces- sories. There is a plan book which does not involve the spending of enormous sums of money to properly place the merits of the picture before the public. The scheme of the 16-page plan book is based on the elemental principles of showmanship, many successful, helpful suggestions are embodied therein. Of stunts there are many and all are practi- cal, efficacious and inexpensive, as well as sample ads in which white space pre- dominates over black, thus giving a con- spicuity highly desired by the man who pays the bills. The sample press notices have the salient features of a special story and add interest to reading notices that in so many instances in picture pro- duction are sterotyped and not interest- ing to the picture fans. The intent of these newspaper notices is to create a desire on the part of the public to go and see the picture. As the press book states, "the lobby is to the theatre what the show window is to a store," and helpful suggestions are given to the theatre owner to make his lobby as attractive as possible in order to get the public up to the box office window. These suggestions are as applicable to a small town as they are to a city and the mediums employed in making the lobby attractive are of such a character that no great burden is imposed on the theatre owner in fixing up his "show window." 88 Simple Material Wins - For Houston Exhibitor That old saw about time and tide refusing to heed the com- mands of mere man is never more keenly appreciated than by the ex- hibitor who has a limited number of hours or minutes to make the newspaper dead line and finds his supply of advertising material in- sufficient or unprepared. Some- thing must be done, and that quickly. Which circumstance is a good test of the exhibitor's metal. Something like that set of circum- stances seems to have faced the Hous- ton, Tex., exhibitor whose advertise- ment for "The Thunderbolt," Katherine MacDonald's First National production, is reproduced herewith. In this case the test did not find the exhibitor's metal wanting in quality. Her First Appearance Since ' The U'oman Thou Caveat Starts Today 4-Days-4 "The Thunderbolt" WITH Tom Meighan Star of "The Miracle Man" AND Katherine MacDonald The American Beauty "The story of a hasband who denied his wife the sacred right Iq motherhood — and how Pfovidence thwarted his wicked plan of revenge.'- HodtiTon'a foremost orchestr A fine pen drawing of the star's head combines with a simple combination of rules and straight type to excellent advantage in this three-column display from the Liberty theatre, Houston, Tex. EXHIBITORS HERALD The reproduction shows the good ef- fect gained by the use of the line draw- ing of the star which was placed atop the box body. It is a good drawing. It came up well on the newspaper stock. And it served the very important pur- pose of attracting attention to the ad- vertisement. As the rules and simple type which make up the remainder of the composi- tion have been displayed a high effi- ciency has been attained. Made with a single, simple picture, in addition to the stock supplies of the average print shop, it points the way for other exhibitors similarly placed. Parable We used to run a theatre. One day our show didn't come and we had to run a "junk" substitute. We told our customers about it as they came to the box office. We reduced our price and promised each person his money back if he didn't like it. We waxed eloquent upon the weak points of the play. And Lo ! Not one patron requested his money back. Not one voiced his disapproval of the picture. And one man insisted upon giving us the dime which brought his admission up to standard price. SixffirfbUE William H. Koch, who personally guarantees the attractions playing at his Aster theatre, Minneapolis, Minn., makes his lobby a real advertising agent. Koch and Johnston's Team Work Bring Success to Aster Theatre Team work, which is but another name for organization, is the secret of efficiency. And efficiency has come to be regarded as an essential of business success. It is not strange, therefore, that the New Aster theatre, Minneapolis, Minn., is a suc- cessful theatre. For team work is a mark of the institution. William H. Koch is the manager of the theatre. J. L. Johnston is the man who writes the theatre's advertising. The har- mony between the two is of that smoothly blending variety which should always exist between men similarly placed — but seldom does. Harmony was necessary before the two could put into effect the excellent personal guarantee campaign which is being exe- cuted at the present time. No campaign in current advertising is better founded in good business logic. The work of the duo first claimed atten- tion in this department because of the one- sheet which was posted in front of the theatre during the showing of "Six Feet Four," William Russell's American produc- tion. This was reproduced with a few para- graphs calling attention to the splendid logic back of it. This week we are presenting a photo- graph of the lobby as it appeared during that showing, with the one-sheet placed directly in front of the box office. The other lobby decorations, cutouts, etc., are also shown. Obviously, the engagement must have been the success reported. We are also reproducing, this week, a three column advertisement, the work of Mr. Johnston, which is notable for many reasons. Mr. Johnston, be it known, in- cludes in his daily routine the writing of advertisements for two Duluth theatres, eleven Minneapolis houses and an even St /1STER COMMENCING SUNDAY Mabel ormand First Lady of Cinema Comedy 'erley Pbore Sneenariy ^c(timei^ornarice A three-column display drawn for the New Aster theatre, Minneapolis, Minn., by J. L. Johnston. The policy of personally guaranteeing his attrac- tions is shown carried into the news- papers by Wm. H. Koch, the manager. 89 dozen in St. Paul. He writes his own copy and draws his own displays, handles all billboard work and publicity. A man that can attend to that volume of work and maintain the standard of qual- ity which he does maintain, if this repro- duction is a fair sample, is a man to be reckoned with. Advertising needs more men like him. The general composition of the adver- tisement needs little comment. It is well constructed and sufficiently unusual to gain prominence upon any page. The copy is well written and logical: It is the kind that gets business. But especial attention should be given to the scroll in the lower right hand corner and the copy which it carries. Because the reproduction is small the text of it is here given. To the public: Recently we told you that William Russell in "Six Feet Four" was one of the very best Western dramas ever shown at the New Aster. After see- ing the picture, no one has said that it was not. We kept a promise to the public. In Mabel N ormand' s latest film- play, "Upstairs," we believe we are presenting an entertainment even fun- nier than "Mickey." After seeing our presentation of "Upstairs" those who do not believe we have judged the feature correctly can obtain their admission at the box office. New Aster programs are depend- ably good. That is the sort of work that results from harmony between members of an or- ganization. The advisability of a personal guarantee has been dwelt upon in these columns before. No need to elaborate. Sufficient to say that William H. Koch and J. L. Johnston are showmen and ad- vertisers extraordinary. Advertisers ex- traordinary should be emulated. EXHIBITORS HERALD ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? DO YOU KNOCK ON WOOD? Today Is Friday! ALL THESE THINGS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR SEEING 13 CHAIR The Great Mystery Play that enthralled our audiences yes- terday. You have a chance to see it today! Once you get here you wouldn't leave until the finish of the picture under any consideration! ATLAY FULL OF THRILLS UNLIKE ANY YOU HAVE EVER SEEN Additionally Today SPECIAL CHRISTY COMEDY George A. Bleich, of the Empress , theatre, Owensboro, Ky., gained close attention and careful reading for this two-column display by keeping in touch with the calendar. Bleich Profits Much By Watching Calendar Nine persons out of ten, when they begin to write a letter, glance about uncomfortably in search of a calendar and, if they find none, ask helplessly, "What day is this?" And nine out of every ten persons thus interrogated stam- mer an equally helpless "I don't know." Strangely enough, the average citizen seldom knows ex- actly "what day it is." But not all citizens are average. George A. Bleich, who operates the Empress theatre at Owensboro, Ky., is not an average citizen. The chances are that he can tell you the day of the week and month, the hour of the day and approximately the minute of the hour any time you chance to ask him. He is, to use a trade concoction, "a live wire." "The Thirteenth Chair," the Pathe production which starred Yvonne Delva, little known to screen followers, was the attraction at the Empress dur- ing a recent advertising campaign which called for "live wire" methods. The two-column advertisement which is here reproduced shows the manner in which Mr. Bleich capitalized upon the day of the week. Unfortunately it wasn't the 13th of the month. But Mr. Bleich got around this little misfortune in splendid style. "Today is Friday!" is a line which engages attention. The reader who knew that the day was Friday doubtless responded to the printed statement with a mental, "I know it. What of it?" The reader who did not know it was Friday, and the great majority of readers doubtless did not acutely realize it, reflected, "So it is." And while he reflected he read Mr. Bleich's copy. A reading of that copy was all that Mr. Bleich wanted. He was certain that a sufficient number of those who read it would find their way to the Empress on* that evening to see his show. Given merely a cursory scrutiny, the Empress advertisement is not one to startle exhibitors. Dissected and di- gested it tells a mighty important ad- vertising truth. It points out the ad- vantage of being "wide awake" and "a live wire." George A. Bleich is both. The eye follows the flash in this four- column layout from the Des Moines theatre, Des Moines, la., a full reading of copy being the sure result. Eye Follows Flash in Thunderbolt Lay-Out The ultimate aim of every ad- vertisement, after the attention of the reader has been secured, is to impose upon that reader the will of the advertiser. Any advertise- ment that does less than that, no matter how beautiful it may be or how attractive, can be called effi- cient. The will of the exhibitor advertiser dictates but one thing, attendance. The advertisement that results in box office receipts is worth while. Others are not. The Des Moines theatre, Des Moines, la., recently used a four-column adver- tisement for "The Thunderbolt," Kath- erine McDonald's first First National production, which cannot have failed of its purpose. It is presented herewith in diminished proportions for your con- sideration. 90 The copy, as may be seen by a read- ing, is not startlingly unique or original. Millions of words have been written along the same general line and for the same general purpose. Neither is there anything innova- tional about the arrangement of the va- rious factors in its make-up. The stills used as illustrations do not differ greatly from other stills that appear in great profusion. But in the original size, and in some- what lesser degree in the reproduction, the jagged lightning flash that strikes into the black background at the upper right and breaks through to lower left has a powerful effect. The eye that lingers for an instant upon the composition is forced to fol- low this jagged course down the full length of the display. And as it travels it reads. As it reads it is convinced. There is no doubt that the advertise- ment sold many admission tickets for the Des Moines theatre. Washington's Realart Tie-Up Well Handled Man's eye cannot grasp big images satisfactorily. General im- pressions are the best that can be gained from mass surveys. There- fore, nature has wisely constructed the optic organ in such manner that it focusses upon small sur- faces, permitting of intensive study and the forming of exact im- pressions. Astronomers study the moon as a whole by concentrating upon small portions of its surface and combining the whole. Tom Moore, whose Washington thea- tres are rapidly gaining national promi- nence, owes a great deal of his present WASHINGTON'S OWN MISS FAY BRENNAN PROLOGUE PRESENT ATI Oil Th» Mystery of the TtlUno Room WHAT THE KUCl 15 Pi-vat One of the distinctive advertisements that preceded the Washington, D. C, engagement of "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" at Tom Moore's Gar- den theatre. EXHIBITORS HERALD popularity as an object of showmen's emulation to the advertising and pre- sentation which he provided during the recent engagements of the first Realart publications at his houses. Both adver- tising and presentation features of these engagements have been widely dis- cussed, and properly so. But the purpose of the present article is not a resume of the whole undertak- ing. Such a discussion would be so voluminous as to pass unread by the majority of exhibitor readers. Our purpose is to study a single angle. For that reason we have reproduced a two-column advertisement of the teaser An artistically decorated co-operative window display that worked hand in hand with the novel teaser campaign used by Tom Moore during the show- ing of "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" in Washington, D. C. variety which was used before the open- ing of the engagement of "The Mystery of the Yellow Room," Emile Chautard's Realart production. "What the deuce is this mystery of the Yellow Room?" is a mighty good line. It is said that it is to be used nationally in behalf of this production. Not less wisely chosen is the illus- tration, the lamp in the lower left hand corner. There is something mysterious about a lamp. Especially a shaded lamp. Lamp light suggests olden days. And olden days suggest mystery. No ready explanation is available. These are sim- ply facts. But facts serve. The announcement of the engage- ment of the winner of a beauty contest, presumably a well known event in Washington, adds another important factor. Still, very little real information is disclosed. We have reproduced, also, a book store window in which the book from which the picture is taken is fittingly displayed. Imagine you are a resident of Wash- ington. You read the papers. You see the advertisement. You will remember it. You can't help it. A little later, no matter how much later, you pass the book store window. You catch the name. "The Mystery of the Yellow- Room. " Ah! Here is the answer. Will you forget the incident? You will not. Neither did the citizens of Washing- ton. All of which has to do with one phase of Mr. Moore's work. It is a phase typical of the whole. And it points out the best way to stage a teaser cam- paign and window exploitation — in co- operation. Have you ever connected the two before? Better do it, on the next big picture. "The Title Tells ft*' For Tacoma Exhibitor Among the surface mysteries of the industry prominent place has been accorded the practice of changing titles. Authors and di- rectors cannot see why their care- fully thought out titles should be altered. Exhibitors know why. Experience has taught them that, except in the case of a very few very well known stars, the title largely determines the drawing power of the picture. And draw- ing power is a mighty important item. TIm .tar, at t*« "fiMm Trail" fata lata t*» blood. It ittatalataa aaea mor. fir* thai 1mp*U*4 pa.pla Is sat* h.ad- toaa lata faHmrt .a cawatry aaakllta. gold - a ad ta HjdJ m mo. I of tJaarn did mi. „-, -ralchad.a,. and a • pjM af raaa'a aeHf. SCENIC ceMEsr An excellent suiting of title display to illustration which tells a great deal about the picture without really tell- ing anything. A four-column adver- tisement from the Strand theatre, Tacoma, Wash. 91 The Strand theatre, Tacoma, Wash., recently played "The Sundown Trail," the Universal production featuring Monroe Salisbury. The title is rather expressive. It gives a good idea of the general tone of the story to be de- picted. Especially is this true when the star's name is mentioned in connection. But the Strand management did not consider it expressive enough. It was determined to add to its expressiveness. The reduced reproduction of the four- column advertisement used for this pur- pose, among the usual others, shows rather well the manner in which the suggestive power of the title was em- phasized by the style in which it was displayed. • The result is a highly satisfactory one. In addition to lending added strength to the title, it has added beauty to the composition and, by reason of the illus- trations used, imparted to the reading public a graphic, though incomplete, idea of the production advertised. Titles should be carefully considered. Good pictures have been ruined and poor pictures have been transformed into money-makers by their titles. It isn't always practicable to refuse bookings because of bad titles. But it is always practicable to improve upon a bad title, even to the point of making it good. This is a splendid way of achieving that miracle. Strand Advertisement A Good One to Study It is a simple matter to say that you like a certain thing or a cer- tain person. It is not always so easy to tell just why you like them. Luckily, for our peace of mind, it isn't always necessary. It would involve a lot of work. But the person who recommends a person or thing must advance some reason for so doing. And, for the first time, we are "stumped." The last two or three days of the working week In this office are, like those in all publication offices, busy ones. The thousand details that have to be taken care of come up for atten- tion and have to be handled quickly and perfectly. It is after the last mark has been made upon the last page of proof, after the proof has been returned to the printer, that we sit down to the mass of specimen advertisements that have accumulated since the compiling of the last department contents and select the best of them. It is a relaxation and a pleasure. Having gone through the supply on hand, laying aside those that appealed most strongly to us and we believe would appeal most strongly to the pub- lic, we file the remainder and give .our attention to those selected. The last time we went through this operation we found, among those set aside, the double-column display from the Strand theatre, Portland, Ore., used in connection with "The Speed Maniac," the recent Tom Mix production for the Fox schedule. We knew it was good. The repro- duction shows that it is. But we can't see just what it is that makes it good. EXHIBITORS HERALD 2:00 4:00 7:30 9:30 Daily I The C/clor *. of the (Screen. TOM MIX Bib SPEED MANIAC" .... 'HfUtagc haj^elye| • >. A strongly attractive three-column dis- play from the Strand theatre, Port- land, Ore., which presents a study in composition. "Passing the buck" is not one of our favorite pastimes. It is, in fact, one of our pet aversions. But we're going to do it this time, because there is no other way out of it. Look the thing over. Draw your own conclusions. Dodger Saves Day For California Exhibitor Armistice Day was looked forward to with lively anticipation by Dave Rey- nolds, manager of the Orpheum theatre, Gilroy, Calif. There had been consid- erable talk of making it a holiday, or at least a half-holiday, and he decided to put on a big show and make a good im- pression upon the crowds which he was sure would flock to his theatre. But he couldn't forsee the activities of the local civic clubs and guess that they were going to stage a prize fight, a ball game, dance and band concert for the returned soldiers in Gilroy. That they did do these things almost spelled ruin for his day's business. A herald saved it for him. A reading of the copy, even without the strong display given it, will explain the reason. "Say, buddy! Say, you gobs!" the copy began, "A year ago today we put the fear of God in the Kaiser and made him quit — and in order to celebrate the First Anniversary of the close of the big scrap over there The Orpheum has the biggest fight picture since The Spoilers,' 'Paid in Advance.' And just to give you your money's worth, there's a big semi-final bout in 'Elmo the Mighty,' featuring Elmo Lincoln, the latest challenger of Jack Dempsey for the heavy-weight championship. Mat- inee Tuesday, starts at 2:00 p. m. Prices only 11 and 22 cents. Your service but- ton is as good as your ticket. (Signed) Dave Raynolds, Ex-Pvt. Hdq. Co. 12th Inf., U. S. A." The Orpheum did the business antici- pated. The reason is clear. Vocabularies The best writers are the most exten- sive readers. It is easy to forget words. Repeti- tion of a certain set of phrases is nat- ural. To keep your advertising "alive" you must keep it fresh. Let no single day's work be even an approximate repeti- tion of the preceding day's copy and you will hold your readers. It has been said that the average man's daily conversation seldom uses more than five hundred words. Five hundred is not enough for advertising writers. Read. Read anything. Read every- thing. But read. It will pay. Palace Policy Points Well Worthy of Study There can be no dispute as to the value of concrete examples in discussions of whatever nature. Certainly they are valuable in talks on advertising. But back of every concrete example there must be a policy foundation equally worthy of study, else the example would not be worthy of notice. The policy makes the example, and the example, in advertising at least, leads to adoption. Stanley Chambers, manager of the Palace theatre at Wichita, Kans., is a man with a policy. And he backs up his policy with concrete examples of its successful operation to prove its value. The single-column reproduction of his three-column advertisement used in behalf of "The Teeth of the Tiger " Paramount-Artcraft Special, reproduced herewith, is an excellent illustration of the Chambers policy in operation. In speaking of this particular case Mr. Chambers says: "I told nothing about the character of story and left everything to the peo- ple's imagination, arousing curiosity which helped materially in putting the picture over. To tell the public the char- acter of this particular story would have had a tendency to drive them away in this class theatre. Yet when they did come they were surprised and im- mensely pleased, as they viewed it with the idea in mind that it was an Arsene Lupin detective story. In putting over pictures I try always as nearly as pos- sible to acquaint the public with the style of entertainment I am sure they are going to like — always staying within the bounds of honesty and not at ' any time using advertising -or any exploita- 92 tion that will lose their confidence." Mr. Chambers' policy is made suffi- ciently clear by his own explanation. But the concrete example of its oper- ation here presented deserves your seri- ous consideration for other reasons than because of its illustrative nature. The exclamation point is regarded by all as the mark of something extraor- dinary, something important. It is an excellent item to incorporate into any advertisement. When it can be as well used as it has been here it has attrac- tion power, in addition to its natural attributes. Look over the layout care- fully. It can be used almost as it stands by any theatre and for almost any pic- ture. WARNING! This unusual picture siops Wednesday midniH — Positively no longer Something Different! TEETH OF THE TIGER THE STRANGEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD mmm Artistic and attractive, this two-column display from the Palace theatre, Wichita, Kan., exerts a strong appeal without disclosing the nature of the picture advertised. EXHIBITORS HERALD PATHE PRESENTS HAROLD LLOYD A IN THE NEW $100,000.00 SPECIAL TWO REEL COMEDIES PRODUO.L BY A colorful and highly attractive twenty-four sheet circulated by Pathe Exchange, Inc., in behalf of the new series of two-reel Harold Lloyd comedies, an innovation in comedy advertising that should be widely emulated. Advertising for Lloyd Comedies A Move in the Right Direction The splendid twenty-four sheet provided by Pathe Exchange, Inc., for the new series of Harold Lloyd comedies, reproduced herewith, is ample proof of that organiza- tion's realization of the importance of com- edy advertising, a department that has not yet received the attention to which it is entitled. That such a state of affairs ex- ists, and that at least one organization is taking steps to better it, deeply concerns every exhibitor in the nation. Exhibitors were the first to realize the importance of the comedy. The increasing" number of comments having to do with the comedy element of their shows from pa- trons passing out of their theatres first brought to them a realization of the in- creasingly important part that comedies were coming to occupy in the motion pic- ture program. Promptly upon learning the true condi- tion of affairs, the exhibitor's demands upon the exchange man became more exacting in the matter of booking comedies. A scant two years ago a projection room showing of a single or double reel comedy for a prospective contract signer was almost un- heard of. "It's good. Take my word for it," said the salesman. Or "I'll throw in a comedy," upon affixing the necessary sig- natures. Today the man who books a feature doesn't mention comedies during the trans- action. When that deal is closed, he asks, "How's that new comedy"? It is consid- ered a matter of course that he be escorted into the projection room and the comedy screened. And his attitude is as critical during the screening as if the picture were a ten reel special. Until very recently, that was as far as the movement for the better progressed. Then the comedy producers, feeling the impetus of added popularity, put forth in- creased effort to bring the standard of their output up to meet the demands of a public more critical than ever before. Improved quality was at once noted. The distributors and producers were the last to realize the trend of the times. The big advertising campaigns that had been carried on for feature productions were continued and developed to greater extent than ever before. But the comedy con- tinued to occupy a small box in the lower left or right hand corner of most pro- grams. The innovation staged by Grauman's Million Dollar theatre and a few New York houses, the program in which the comedy was featured, seems to have been the main- spring from which the gigantic advertising campaigns now being carried on in be- half of short comedy features issued. If for no other reason, and there are other reasons, the exhibitors responsible should be thanked by the exhibitorial body. The Pathe poster demands attention. So far as has come to attention, it is the first poster of its size to be issued in connec- tion with a comedy series. The new Harold Lloyd series is being Lobby of the Strand Theatre, New York, showing the prominence given the an- nouncement of the Harold Lloyd comedy, "Bumping Into Broadway." 93 EXHIBITORS HERALD watched with interest from every angle. Lloyd is one of the most popular comedians of the day, and he made that popularity in single reel productions. It is reasonable to assume that his longer features will be as popular, but the nature of the exhibition business is such that all experienced show- men look at such a step with uncertainty. We have reproduced herewith, along with the poster, a photograph of the Strand theatre, New York, showing the manner in which the Lloyd comedy, "Bumping Into Broadway," the first of the new series, was billed. The theatre seems to be doing a rushing business. Just what part the fea- ture "Bonds of Love," Pauline Frederick's Goldwyn production, had to do with that business cannot be determined. But it is* safe to assume that a sprinkling of these posters about the city and coun- try, here, there and everywhere, can have but one effect. It will keep the comedian and his series in the public mind. It will focus public attention upon the comedy ele- ment of the next program in which a Har- old Lloyd comedy appears. Pathe is on the right track when they manufacture this sort of advertising for the exhibitor and the comedian. Every other concern that publishes a series of comedies of like nature should follow the same course. It will benefit all concerned. Alhambra Uses Window In High Class Appeal Numerous press books have contained paragraphs telling the exhibitor how to successfully ar- range a cooperative display in a hardware store. There is no rec- ord of the feat ever having been accomplished. Hardware and en- tertainment don't mix. The mind refuses to associate the two con- genially. It is well to keep that sort of thing in mind when the window stunt is under considera- tion. George H. Fisher, manager of the Alhambra theatre, Milwaukee, Wis., may not have thought of it in just that way, but when he played "The Mind the Paint Girl," Anita Stewart's First National production, he did not use a hardware window. It wouldn't have been an extraordi- nary thing to do. Paint comes under the hardware classification. Many might have suggested building an interior set in such a window, placing a ladder or two, mounting a waxen model upon the top rung, a girl figure neatly attired in appropriate overalls, looking down help- lessly at the paint dripping from her over-turned bucket. It wouldn't be safe to say that such a window would not have the effect of informing the passing public that such a picture was at the Alhambra theatre. But it is safe to say that the same pass- ing public would not have been strongly influenced to attend that playhouse. They would probably believe that the picture was a slap-stick comedy of some sort, at best. And Anita Stewart in slap- stick is not in line with public favor. What Mr. Fisher did do is rather well shown in the photograph reproduced on this page. He secured a window in a ladies' apparel store. He used a model, but he made it a model which might easily be mistaken for the star herself, so like her it was in general appearance. And he kept the display of distinctly high class nature. It's effectiveness speaks for itself. The moral is obvious. Superlatives Writers of advice to advertisers have discoursed wearily and at length upon the subject of superlatives. Their point made, that superlatives had lost their power, they have gone on endlessly pointing out why this is true. Everybody knows it is true. "But what is one to do?" is the question asked. The best way to get around the mat- ter is by use of accurate descriptive matter. Describe every picture accu- rately and attractively, centering upon those of its qualities which distinguish it from any other production. It will be hard the first time. The second time it is easier. Practice will bring skill and there will be developed a method that can never wear out. The Best Trailer Film trailers have many good points. They should be used more extensively. But the best measure of this variety that can be taken in a personal appear- ance upon the stage and a brief, chummy personal chat with the audience. No eloquence is required. Simple, matter-of-fact English is the style that should be used. But the "personal touch" is there. Try it for a month. Paper Bags Joseph Maitland, manager of the Pal- ace theatre at Mandan, N. D., recently broke his house record for two days with "The Hoodlum," Mary Pickford's First National Attraction. He bought 5,000 paper bags, had an advertisement printed on one side of them, gave a thousand to each of five grocers and persuaded them to send them all out on the same day. Have you tried it? It's good. Arrow Offers Serial, 4 'The Lurking Peril" "The Lurking Peril," a fifteen episode serial featuring Anne Luther and George Larkin, is now being offered to the in- dependent exchanges by the Arrow Film Corporation. W. E. Shallenberger, president of Arrow, reports 63 per cent of the United States territory has al- ready been sold on this serial. The following sales have been re- ported for New York City, state and northern New Jersey, to the Pioneer Film Exchange, 126 West 46th street, New York City. For the New England states to Arrow Film Exchange, Sam Grand, manager, Boston, Mass. For the eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey territory, to Arrow Film Exchange, Ben Amsterdam, manager, Philadelphia. For Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky, Standard Film Exchange, Cleveland. For Georgia, Florida, Ala- bama, North and South Carolina, Louis- iana, Mississippi and Tennessee, to the South Eastern Pictures Corporation, At- lanta, Ga., and New Orleans, La. George H. Fisher, manager of the Alhambra Theatre, Milwaukee, Wis., chose the right sort of window for his "Mind the Paint Girl" co-operative display, com- bining dignity with effectiveness. 94 EXHIBITORS HERALD ^mgmm7^r^mrMmm,mm^mmmmm^mmm,,m,,,,«m,m n mil iiiinillllllllllllllllllllllllllU 1 1 1 | ||| Illlllllll 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 llinil I Uit llUntl I Illllllllllllllllg SD □! Volplaning Around N Yaw k riigiiiiiimi i umiuiiiiiiiuiimiiiiiniiiiii iiimiiuiuiii iiumiiiiiiiiii \vl th J. B. I.WIIIMIHW WD OH MMIIIMIllllllMur Nbw York City, Nov. 25, 1919. Sam Krellberg looked like a multi-mil- lionaire as he started his motor trip to the Vale-Harvard football game on Saturday. Sam was decked out in a regulation auto cap, goggles and mufti coat. A small Irish Republic flag adorned his lapel. * * * James Grainger, personal representative for Marshall Neilan has been a heavy pur- chaser in the story and scenario market of late. In fact he has been so busy that in one instance he was compelled to nego- tiate with one agent while running after a Seventh Avenue surface car. The agent was a poor sprinter and failed to connect with the car so the sale was off. * * * The lunch room at the Peerless lot in Fort Lee might easily be mistaken for a meeting of the M.P.D.A. Frequently the gathering for the mid-day "bite" includes Directors George Irving, Gordon Edwards, Charles Giblyn, Perry Vekroff, Ken- neth Webb, Eddie Dillon, George Ar- chainbaud, Harley Knqles, Frank Crane and an occasional other member dropping in for lunch. Would a "pass word" be in order? * * * Charlie Simone, Albany exchange man- ager for Hallmark Pictures tells the fol- lowing story about an up state exhibitor. The exhibitor had received his third re- quest to pay his income tax and this is what he wrote to the collector of Internal Revenue : "For the past year as I wrote you before my income has been four thousand dollars a year. In future it will be more precar- ious as the man is dead of whom I bor- rowed the money." * * * At the Academy of Music reception of H.R.H. Prince Edward, the house of Fox did things up in regal style, and Arthur James' long newspaper training stood him in good stead, as he was so accustomed to royalties that he managed the Prince like one to the Manor born. The royal visitor laughed at "The Dog Catcher" while the Police Band served the harmony. * * * "The Lord Loves the Irish" but the Jewish exhibitors get the money. W. W. Hodkinson has booked "The Lord Loves the Irish" to all the Semitic exchanges in the U. S. A'., but the Canadians are liable to balk at it as there may be some doubt among the Dominion exhibitors as to whe- ther it is a fact. * * * Edgar Lewis has just completed a splen- did production of "Other Men's Shoes" which will be published through Pathe. * * * Louis Magnolia, manager of the new Strand Theatre of Far Rockaway, has by dint of hustling and superior showmanship built up a patronage for the Strand which is remarkable fpr a theatre which opened late in the fall in a place which is essen- tially a summer showtown. Mr. Magnolia totally disregards the clock so far as work is concerned and devotes the best part of fifteen hours a day to the development of the business. In the words of Jack Francis, H.M.S. Renown is a new ship and a fine one, but she is not dry, and many a reporter wears his tongue at half mast since "Edward P." sailed away. * * * Eleanor Hines has resigned her posi- tion as secretary to J. D. Williams of the First National. Miss Hines will, it is said, embark on the tranquil sea of matrimony. Best wishes and good luck. * * * E. Gad Pictures is the latest company in the field. By gad this is good. * * * Grant L. Brightman has severed his connection with the Allgood Pictures Cor- poration as publicity manager in the exploi- tation of their forthcoming serial "The Whirlwind" starring Charles Hutchison, being produced by Allgood under the di- rection of Joseph A. Golden. Mr. Bright- man's successor has not yet been appointed. * * * Kenneth Webb expects to go to Boston about December 1st, but refuses to state whether or not the rumor that he is to enlist on the new Boston police force is true. "My mission is secret," said Mr. Webb. Maybe he is going to establish a Boston Lodge of the order of A.M.P.A. * * * Charlie Giblyn cannot find enough streets in New York on which to take pic- tures, so he is building a New York street on the out-door stage at the Peerless Stu- dio for Famous Players. Charlie, who is said to have looked New York streets over carefully in order to qualify for the job, says it will be a regular New York street — all torn up an' everything. Metro's New Star An artistic phutosrrnph of Alice Lake, who is to feature in Screen Classics, Inc.. productions. George Irving, president of the M.P.D.A. recently finished the production of "The Blue Pearl" and will soon be "at it" again making the screen version of "The Girl in Waiting." * * * Frederick A. Thomson recently com- pleted Arthur Somers Roche's "The Sport of Kings" with Matt Moore and Margot Kelly in the leading roles. Mr. Thomson hints that he may sit in lodge with Los Angeles members some time during De- cember. * * * Tom Terriss, the popular Vitagraph director, attended lodge at ^.P.D.A. quar- ters Tuesday night, November 18, for the first time in several meetings. "I just fin- ished 'The Fortune Hunter'," said Mr. Ter- riss, "and made for New York, and meet- ing with the boys is the first pleasure in which I have indulged myself. Leaving a neighbor like Brother Ralph Ince shows how much I think of shaking hands with brother directors and getting a budget of latest M.P.D.A. news." * * * President George Irving, Secretary Ashley Miller and Treasurer C. Jay Williamshave agreed upon putting into practice a stunt of their Sunday School days. A prize for presenting the most pertinent and interesting article on the pro- motion of better pictures and general up- lift of the industry, in which each member is rightfully concerned, will be awarded. The coveted distinction of leading the Grand March at the annual M.P.D.A. Ball, which, to members of the organization is likened to the Sunday School picnic in the good old days of the magic lantern will fall to the winner. * * * Joe Samath said that the power to write was given to press agents so that they might better disguise the thoughts of their employers. Wonder if he had any particu- lar one in mind at the time? * * * Grandpop's chair was too stiff-backed for "Prince Eddie" and Mr. Fqx had to slide it out of the box and into the moth balls, while the Prince sat in a regulation chair. This however could not be called a set- back. F. F. Latta to Retire From Austin Theatre F. F. Latta, veteran Austin, Minn., exhibitor, who is one of the best known theatre men in that section of the state, has sold out his interests to Stephen Braun and sons of Waupon, N. D., and will retire December 1. Mr. Latta will surrender possession of the Lyric theatre, December 1, and will turn over the lease of the New Park theatre, now in the course of construc- tion. The new owner is an experienced showman and his sons are musicians. Changes Theatre's Name Louis Simmet, Nekoosa, Wis., exhib- itor, has changed the name of Wis theatre from the Converse to the Rialto and has made extensive improvements in the building. 95 EXHIBITORS HERALD 96 EXHIBITORS HERALD What the Picture Did For Me VERDICTS ON FILMS IN LANGUAGE OF EXHIBITOR Copyright, 1919 You are especially invited to contribute regularly to this department. It is a co-operative service FOR THE BENEFIT OF EXHIBITORS. TELL US WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR YOU and read in the HERALD every week what the picture did for the other fellow, thereby getting the only positive guide to box office values. Address, "What The Picture Did For Me". EXHIBITORS HERALD. 417 S. Dearborn St.. Chicago Artcraft He Comes Up Smiling, with Douglas Fairbanks. — They liked this for a change. — Clifford L. Niles, Grand theatre, Ana- mosa, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. The Narrow Trail, with Wm. S. Hart. — This is one of the best Hart pictures we ever ran. Will please any audience. — E. D. Lund, Hulbert theatre, Hulbert, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. Wagon Tracks, with William S. Hart. Good. — J. W. Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Marriage Price, with Elsie Fer- guson.— Program picture. Star no pul- ler. Lost money on this and every pic- ture ever played of this star. — A. J. Twileger, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Johanna Enlists, with Mary Pickford. — Good comedy. — W. B. Nielson, Liberty theatre, Fosston, Minn. — Small town patronage. He Comes Up Smiling, with Douglas Fairbanks. — Good. — J. W. Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — Neighbor- hood patronage. First National A Virtuous Vamp, with Constance Talmadge. — This is the best picture Con- stance ever made. Packed them up for three days. You can't go wrong on the Talmadge girls' pictures. — A. C. Dewhel, Pastime theatre, Iowa City, Iowa.- — Col- lege town patronage. A Temperamental Wife, with Con- stance Talmadge. — Good but no better than her former productions. Leading man did not make a hit with my patrons. — A Swedeman, Centennial theatre, War- saw, Ind. — General patronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mar- diganian. — A good picture and pleased all. Title did not draw for me. Poor business. — G. F. Rediske, Ryegate the- atre, Slayton, Mont. — Small town patron- age. .Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— My opinion this is the best Pick- ford to date. It came within $5.40 of breaking gate receipts record in this house. — Raymond Piper, Piper's Opera House. Virginia City, Nev. — General pat- ronage. A Midnight Romance, with Anita Stewart. — A production fully up to the standard set for First National Anita Stewart releases. A picture that will please anywhere. Star very popular. Business good. — Custer Carland, Vic- toria theatre, Frankfort, Mich. — Small town patronage. Mary Regan, with Anita Stewart. — Star great.. Picture fine, big puller. Big business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Sunnyside, with Charley Chaplin. — Drew big on reputation of other two pic- tures on first night. Nothing on second night. — John Waller, Swan theatre, Cla- rinda, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — A good Pickford and pleased. Average receipts for this class of picture. — J. S. Latimer, Merit theatre, Wilburton, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Used a singer in Pickford make- up costume, advertised as a special fea- ture and cleaned up. Try it. — Broke my house record for the year. — J. D. Wood- beck, Casino theatre, Kissimmee, Fla. — General patronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mar- diganian. — This was a very good picture and enjoyed by all. — E. P. Giacomazzi, Star theatre, San Juan, Calif. — Neigh- borhood patronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mar- diganian. — Great picture. Good busi- ness. Two days run. Pleased the bet- CONSTANCE BINNEY A recent picture of the popular stage and screen beauty, starring in Realart's "Erst- while Susan." ter class. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. In Wrong, with Jack Pickford. — Good subject but Jack tries to pose too much before camera. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General pat- ronage. Her Kingdom of Dreams, with Anita Stewart. — This is an excellent picture. — L. M. Browne, Mission theatre, Ponca City, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. Bill Apperson's Boy, with Jack Pick- ford.— My patrons not crazy about this star. If it wasn't for his sister's reputa- tion he couldn't get by. — A. S. Widaman, Centennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind. — Gen- eral patronage. Tarzan of the Apes, with Elmo Lin- coln.— This is certainly a great picture and will draw them in if properly adver- tised, as the story has been read by the majority of fans. Will please grown ups and children alike. — J. H. Vaughan, New Orpheum theatre, Maquoketa, Iowa. — Critical patronage. Fox Checkers, with a special cast. — Picture great. Big puller and big business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Cowardice Court, with Peggy Hyland. — Fine, just the kind of a light comedy that the people like. Good business and everybody pleased. — A. J. Love, Opera House, Roanoke, 111. — Small town pat- ronage. The Sneak, with Gladys Brockwell. — This picture went over big. Many pat- rons praised it highly. You should go after this one. — D. Griffith, Cozy theatre, Dugger, Ind. — Mixed patronage. The Speed Maniac, with Tom Mix.— Tom Mix is a wonderful drawing card. His pictures are all good. Book 'em. — A. C. Dewhel, Pastime theatre, Iowa City, Iowa. — College town patronage. Coming of the Law, with Tom Mix. — Star great, picture a fine Western. Won- derful scenery, fair business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Riders of the Purple Sage, with Wm. Farnum. — Went over big, a fine picture. Should be run in all theatres. R. M. Stuntebech, Ozone theatre, Des Moines, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. The Winderness Trail, with Tom Mix. — Good picture. Big business. Pleased all. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kings- port, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. The Last of the Duanes, with William Farnum. — Farnum is a wonderful draw- ing card. He has never made a failure, always good. Book him. — A. C. Dewhel, 97 EXHIBITORS HERALD Pastime theatre, Iowa City, Iowa. — Col- lege town patronage. Cupid's Round Up, with To in Mix. — Very good. — H. H. Billings, Pleasant Hour theatre, Pine Island, Minn. — Small town patronage. The Strange Woman, with Gladys Brockwell. — The first we have had by this star. Seemed to please all who saw it. Many words of praise for the star. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cam- bridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. The Trouble Makers, with Jane and Katherine Lee. — Very good. Would like to have more like it. Pleased a big crowd. You can't go wrong if you book this one and advertise it big. — A. J. Love, Opera House, Roanoke, 111. — Small town patronage. Wolves Of the Night, with William Farnum. — A very good attraction. Good business. — F. Heller, Starland theatre, Anderson, Ind. — Transient patronage. Woman, Woman, with Evelyn Nesbit. — Poor. Star has no drawing power here. — Whitman and Graffort, Princess theatre, Buchanan, Mich. — General pat- ronage. Hell Roarin' Reform, with Tom Mix. — Chuck full of action and interesting throughout. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Pitfalls of a Big City, with Gladys Brockwell. — A fine picture. Patrons were very well pleased. This star always pleases and draws good for me. — A. J. Love, Opera House, Roanoke, 111. — Small town patronage. Checkers, with a special cast.— Big money-getter. A picture with something in it to please everyone. Three days capacity in three solid days of rain. — F. Heller, Starland theatre, Anderson, Ind. — Transient patronage. Peg Of the Pirates, with Peggy Hy- land. — Good picture of the kind. But costume plays are dead. Good business. — W. D. Martin, Badger theatre, Neills- ville, Wis. — Small town patronage. Putting It Over, with George Walsh. — Not up to Walsh's average. — J. H. Vaughan, New Orpheum theatre, Maquo- keta, Iowa. — Critical patronage. Riders of the Purple Sage, with Wil- liam Farnum. — Good. — J. W. Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — Neighbor- hood patronage. Goldwyn Strictly Confidential, with Madge Ken- nedy.— Picture a dandy. Comedy-drama that pleased everyone. Star great. Fair business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patron- age. The Road Called Straight, with Louis Bennison. — A fair picture. — Custer Car- land, Victoria theatre, Frankfort, Mich. — Small town patronage. Leave It to Susan, with Madge Ken- nedy.— Good picture. Madge Kennedy a great favorite here among the younger class. Capital business. — D. Griffith, Cozy theatre, Dugger, Ind. — Mixed pat- ronage. The Danger Game, with Madge Ken- nedy.— A very good picture. Just enough comedy with it to make it good. — E. P. Giacomazzi, Star theatre, San Juan, Calif. — Neighborhood patronage. The Fair Pretender, with Madge Ken- nedy.— Fair picture. — Schonlan & Abra- ham, S. & A. theatre, Houston, Minn. — Neighborhood patronage. A Perfect Thirty-Six, with Mable Nor- mand. — Good. — J. W. Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Sunshine Alley, with Mae Marsh. — This is a fair picture. Marsh well liked here. — L. A. Hasse, Majestic theatre, Mauston, Wis. — General patronage. The Pest, with Mabel Normand. — Good picture. Big business. — J. F. Jobes & Son, Lyric theatre, Hawarden, la. — Neighborhood patronage. The Hell Cat, with Geraldine Farrar. — This went over good. — J. F. Alker, Mabton theatre, Mabton. Wash.— Small town patronage. Shadows, with Geraldine Farrar. — Good Alaskan atmosphere. Holds inter- est and will please most any audience. — C. T. Metcalf, Opera House, Greenfield, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Sis Hopkins, with Mabel Normand. — Very poor. Many complaints. — E. A. Bloomquist, Wisner theatre, Eldora, la. — Small town patronage. One Week of Life, with Pauline Fred- erick.— There was enough work put on this to make it a good picture, but the story was weak and improbable. — Custer Carland, Victoria theatre, Frankfort. Mich. — Small town patronage. Hodkinson Sahara, with Louise Glaum. — Good picture and went over big two days. Pleased all at an advanced price. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. Desert Gold, with a special cast. — The best picture of this kind I have ever played. Broke house record held by Checkers. Held up for a five-day show- ing. Book it. — N. Page, Peoples theatre, Superior, Wis. — Transient patronage. The Turn of a Card, with Warren Kerrigan. — Dandy. Kerrigan always good. — Rae Peacock, Mystic theatre, Stafford, Kans. — General patronage. The Joyous Liar, with J. Warren Ker- rigan.— A very good picture. Away above the average. Pleased all classes with many hearty laughs. Best Kerrigan picture seen here for a long time. — Charles Lamb, Palm theatre, Rockford, 111. Desert Gold, with a special cast. — Best picture of this kind we have ever played. Big at advanced admission prices. — F. Nemec, United theatre, St. Cloud, Minn. — Down town patronage. The Westerners, all star cast. — The best Western picture I ever run. Just the kind that people want. Not a cheap shoot 'em up Western. Pleased all two days. Big business.- — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Best Man, with Warren Kerrigan. —Proved a very entertaining mystery comedy. — Bert Norton, Kozy theatre, Eureka, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Desert Gold, with E. K. Lincoln. — I would class this picture B, as it did not get the money for me. Cannot rate this with the best. — P. D. Allerman, Strand theatre, Clinton, Iowa. — General patron- age. The Joyous Liar, with J. Warren Ker- rigan.— Got many favorable comments. Pleased both women and men. — W. Di- neen, Alcazar theatre, Chicago, Ill- Loop patronage. Metro The Brat, with Nazimova. — The best picture she ever played in. Advertised strong. Did the business. — Turner & Dahnken, T. & D. theatre, Sacramento, Calif. — General patronage. The Brat, with Nazimova. — One of the best pictures ever played in this house. Book it and boost it. — H. A. Davidson, Royal theatre, Cherryvale, Kans. — Neigh- borhood patronage. In the Lion's Den, with Bert Lytell. — Well liked by everyone. — Mrs. R. J. Jor- JACK PICKFORD AS A GOLDWYN STAR Wallace Worsley, directing "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come," from the novel of that name by John Fox, Jr., In nhown instructing IMckford between scenes. 98 EXHIBITORS HERALD dan, Hinsdale theatre, Hinsdale, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Pals First, with Harold Lockwood. — Drew well. Pleased. A splendid pic- ture from every angle. — A. R. Anderson, Gem theatre, Twin Falls, Idaho. — Neigh- borhood patronage. As the Sun Went Down, with Edith Storey. — As good as many of the so- called specials. A real Western with a real moral. — R. Ross Riley, Wigwam theatre, Oberlin, Kans. — Small town pat- ronage. Easy to Make Money, with Bert Ly- tell. — Get this, it will get the money, easy at that. Good business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neigh- borhood patronage. The Island of Intrigue, with May Al lison. — An excellent picture. Nice pho- tography and adorable star.— Elks the- atre, Prescott, Ariz. — General patronage. Social Quicksands, with Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne. — Very good. — L. M. Kuhna, Gibson theatre, Gibson, N. M. — Mining camp patronage. Peggy Does Her Darndest, with May Allison. — Clever comedy-drama that gets lots of laughs. Am finding Metro a good • bet. — H. E. Earl], Star theatre, Daven- port, Iowa. — General patronage. The Red Lantern, with Nazimova. — Fell flat. Not the kind of a picture for this star. — J. A. Holmes, Arcade theatre, Holtville, Calif. — Neighborhood patron- age. An Amateur Adventuress, with Emmy Whelan. — When Victor Potel gets in in the second reel they wake up — laugh and smile to the end. It's good. — Raymond Piper, Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, Nev. — General patronage. The Testing of Mildred Vane, with May Allison. — A great picture. Keeps you guessing till the very end. Pleased all. Good for any audience. — C. E. Lein- inger, Grand theatre, East Palestine, O. — General patronage. Full Of Pep, with Hale Hamilton.— A good comedy built for entertainment purposes. — Elks theatre, Prescott, Ariz. — General patronage. The Parisian Tigress, with Viola Dana. — This can not begin to compare with Satan, Jr. It is not fair to Miss Dana or Metro to let one like this get out. — A. N. Niles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — General patronage. As the Sun Went Down, with Edith Storey. — This is very good. — J. F. Alker, Mabton theatre, Mabton, Wash. — Small town patronage. The Demon, with Edith Storey. — Miss Storey as a primitive type always a suc- cess. Try this one and see. — R. Ross Riley, Wigwam theatre, Oberlin, Kans.— Small town patronage. Faith, with Bert Lytell. — Good picture but not just the right kind of story for Lytell. — L. M. Kuhns, Gibson theatre, Gibson, N. M. — Mining camp patronage. In For Thirty Days, with May Alli- son.— Very clever comedy. — Berggren & Taddiken, Elite theatre, Morganville, Kans. — Neighborhood patronage. That's Good, with Hale Hamilton.— This picture is very good. Went over well. — J. F. Alker, Mabton theatre, Mab- ton, Wash. — Small town patronage. Paramount The Valley of Giants, with Wallace Reid. — A good picture. A little above average. Business immense. Picture EVERY MAN HAS HIS HOBBY AND— ~4\ With Marshall IVeilan, the director, it is music. Mr. Neilan is something' of si director of music as well as of pictures, and is here seen directing hoth the studio orchestra supplying" the musical inspiration for :i dramatic situation and the players enacting- the scene. 689658 A seemed to draw more than I looked for. —Charles Lamb, Palm theatre, Rockford, 111. — General patronage. The Life Line, with special cast. — Did fine business and picture pleased. — James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Calif. — General patronage. Putting It Over, with Bryant Wash- burn.— Washburn's popularity improving. Business fair. — R. M. Reese, Sultana theatre, Williams, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. Naughty Naughty, with Enid Bennett. ' — A good picture, but did not draw so well. Everyone pleased. — E. D. Luna, Hulbert theatre, Hulbert, Okla. — 'Neigh- borhood patronage. The Egg Crate Wallop, with Charles Ray. — Best Ray in a long time. Filled up the house every performance. — Betts & Sesuer, Varsity theatre, Palo Alto, Calif. — Local patronage. Jane Goes a Wooing, with Vivian Mar- tin.— A little old but at that pleased bet- ter than a lot of the late productions. A clean, wholesome, entertaining picture. — A. Swedeman, Centennial theatre, War- saw, Ind. — General patronage. On the Quiet, with John Barrymore. — Pleased. A nice business. Good pro- gram picture. — Clifford L. Niles, Grand theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. Love Insurance, with Bryant Wash- burn.— Very good picture. The best the star has made in a long while. Drew ca- pacity.— G. Douthwaite, Lyric theatre, Oxnard, Calif. — General patronage. Love Me, with Dorothy Dalton. — This star does not take well here. Picture fair. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patron- age. Come Out of the Kitchen, with Mar- guerite Clark. — Star fine. Picture the 99 best this star has made for a long time. Good support. Business poor on account of the star appearing in so many poor pictures the past year. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. -In Mizzoura, with Robert Warwick. — Very good picture. Did fine business first two days. — James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Calif. — General patronage. The Dub, with Wallace Reid.— The best picture that we have run for a long while. Action begins in the first reel. Audience well pleased. — Berggren & Taddiken, Elite theatre, Morganville, Kans. — Neighborhood patronage. Land of Promise, with Billie Burke. — Fair picture; star is usually popular here, but failed to register this time. Poor business. — W. D. Martin, Badger theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. Bill Henry, with Chas. Ray. — Not as good as his past work but gets over on account of Ray. Fair business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neighborhood patronage. The Lady of Red Butte, with Dorothy Dalton. — -Poor picture. If star makes any more like this she is through here. Did not please. — C. E. Greenwood, Pol- lard theatre, Guthrie, Okla. — Middle class patronage. Paid In Full, with Pauline Frederick. — Personally I think it one of star's best pictures. Average Sunday night. My patrons are not crazy about her. — Mrs. Pearl Desky, Bell theatre, Livermore, Calif. — Small town patronage. Mating of Marcella, with Dorothy Dal- ton.— Fair picture only. Used it on Sat- urday night and it did not draw. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — General patronage. Boots, with Dorothy Gish. — An accept- EXHIBITORS HERALD able program offering, but our patrons don't like the. star.— Beth Drew Guhl, Pastime theatre, Delavan, Wis. — High class patronage. Little Comrade, with Vivian Martin. f~A little star, a little story and a little crowd. Made our evening entertainment seem like days of old when good pictures were scarce. — R. R. Booth, Paramount theatre, Nebraska City, Neb. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Squaw Man, with a special cast. — Very good. Fine story.— Opera House, Paw Paw, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Sheriff's Son, with Charles Ray.— A good picture. Not as satisfactory as some of Ray's subjects. — Elks theatre, Prescott, Ariz. — General patronage. Heart of Youth, with Lila Lee. — Good for Lila Lee. Pleased the majority. Fair business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neighborhood patronage. Price Mark, with Dorothy Dalton. — Dalton draws well for me and is excep- tionally well liked in this strong produc- tion.— Walter Coddington, Home the- atre, Rantoul, 111.— Neighborhood patron- age. Believe Me Xantippe, with Wallace Reid. — Out of date. Was good in its day. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre. Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patron- age. The False Faces, with Henry Walt- hall.— Good picture of spy type, excel- lently produced, but war theme is very dead. Everyone knows this but the dis- tributors.— W. D. Martin, Badger the- atre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town pat- ronage. Rose of the River, with Lila Lee. — Only fair. No drawing power. Average business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neighborhood patron- age. The False Faces, with Henry Walt- hall.— Contains as much action and mys- tery as average serial. Pleased large crowd. — Bert Norton, Kozy theatre, Eu- reka, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Woman Thou Gavest Me, with Katherine McDonald. — This picture was a real special. All the star cast did ex- cellent work. Good business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Let's Elope, with Marguerite Clark. — A pleasing comedy made so by the pop- ularity of the star. — Elks theatre, Pres- cott, Ariz. — General patronage. The Sheriff's Son, with Charles Ray — Fair picture, but didn't make much im- pression on my crowd. — F. L. Clarke, Cozy theatre, Hazen, Ark. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Love Burglar, with Wallace Reid. — Some picture. Get it. Good business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neighborhood patronage. Poor Boob, with Bryant Washburn. — Better than average program picture. Pleased good Saturday crowd. — Bert Norton, Kozy theatre, Eureka, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. , Mirandy Smiles, with Vivian Martin. — Poorest Martin picture that we have run. Fair program. — Berggren & Taddi- ken, Elite theatre, Morganville, Kans. — Neighborhood patronage. Pathe The Midnight Stage, with Frank Kee- nan. — Splendid program feature. Pleased pilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll^ | ENCOURAGEMENT j I is good for any man. j | Assured that he is on the | | right track and going in | | the right direction, told | | that he is being watched j | by men who hope for his I j success and will aid him | | in gaining it, any man | | will extend himself to the 1 | utmost to I^eep from dis- j | appointing his audience, j | Producers of motion pic- | | tures are guided by the | | opinions of the exhibitors j I who use their products. | | When a man makes a | | good picture, the best Way j | for an exhibitor to assure j | himself that the man will j | make more good pictures j | is to let him kn(>w that j | he thinks this type of pic- | | ture is good. | Producers read this de- | | partment. | Tell them about their good | | pictures, as well as their | | bad ones, and they will j | try to make more like them. j iiM ■ ;iii...::.u;,,;u,.m : mm .:/:.,;ii\,iJ! .Mi" .ii: ; ..ii1::;!::]::;"':.!;1!" a big house. — J. S. Latimer, Merit the- atre, Wilburton, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. Six Feet Four (American), with Wm. Russell.— Everybody pleased. Still talk- ing about it. Biggest business on this special ever had in house. — Mrs. S. Be- mis, Lomo theatre, Hammond, La. — Neighborhood patronage. The Thirteenth Chair, with a special cast. — Good picture. Booked as a big special, but not in that class. Star not strong enough for big stuff. Pleased. — John Waller, Swan theatre, Clarinda, la. — Neighborhood patronage. Yvonne From Paris (American), with Mary Miles Minter. — Above the average of Minter productions. This star fast replacing Mary Pickford here. — O. Han- sen, Jefferson theatre, Goshen, Ind. — General patronage. The World Aflame, with Frank Kee- nan. — Limited patronage account coal miners' strike, but considered best fea- ture ever played at the Merit. — J. S. Latimer, Merit theatre, Wilburton, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. The Cry Of the Weak, with Fannie Ward. — No one liked this. Not a rest- ful moment in it. — Mrs. R. J. Jordan, Hinsdale theatre, Hinsdale, 111. — Neigh- borhood patronage. Six Feet Four (American), with Wil- liam Russell. — Over capacity business, all could not get in. Getting a return date. Greatest of its kind. — Navano Bros., Pictureland theatre, Garyville, La. — General patronage. Common Clay, with Fannie Ward. — Awful. Average puller. — K. J. Aglow, Strand theatre, Whitewater, Wis. — Gen- eral patronage. Robertson-Cole Her Purchase Price, with Bessie Bar- riscale. — Star and feature pleased big crowds three days. — Tom Arthur, Cecil theatre, Mason City, Iowa. — Mixed pat- ronage. Men's Desire, with Lewis Stone. — Great, full of pep. Great photography. Everyone well pleased. You can't lose on this one. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patron- age. The Dragon Painter, with Sessue Hayawaka. — Very good, but Jap is not liked very well here. — J. S. Latimer, Merit theatre, Wilburton, Okla. — Neigh- borhood patronage. The Dragon Painter, with Hayawaka. — The Jap is one of my best stars. Pleased in this picture. — Tom Arthur, Cecil theatre, Mason City, Iowa. — Mixed patronage. The Sage Brush Hamlet, with William Desmond. — Good but not the star's best. Photography good. Fair business. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patronage. Select The Way of a Woman, with Norma Talmadge. — A very good picture. This star is a good drawing card. They are the best drawing cards in the business. —A. C. Dewhel, Pastime theatre, Iowa City, Iowa. — College town patronage. Upstairs and Down, with Olive Thom- as.— Pleased them all. Advertise this one and you will get results. Especially liked by the young folks. — E. J. Sher- burne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Upstairs and Down, with Olive Thom- as.— Went over good. Good story, and star carries it through nicely. — Fred Cos- man, Electric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General patronage. A Perfect Lover, with Eugene O'Brien. — If this is the class of productions we can expect from Select for this year, it would pay any movie actor or actress to work one year for Select gratis to estab- lish a reputation. Keep it up Eugene, next year you can ask $100 per day in Goshen. — G. Hansen, Jefferson theatre, Goshen, Ind. — General patronage. Sauce for the Goose, with Constance Talmadge. — Good comedy. Good busi- ness. Pleasing picture, star well liked. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. The Forbidden City, with Norma Tal- madge.— Star great. Picture fine for its kind, but Goldfield won't patronize a' Japanese or Chinese picture play. No Japs or Chinamen allowed in the town. Business very poor. — A. J. Twilegar, Ly- ric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. 100 EXHIBITORS HERALD Jacques of the Silver North, with Mitchell Lewis. — A glorious portrayal of the snow country, and no mistakes will be made in booking this one. Advance your price. — Walter Coddington, Home theatre, Rantoul. 111. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Faith of the Strong, with Mitchell Lewis. — A very good picture and should draw well where Lewis is popular. He happens not to be a favorite in this town. — Mrs. Pearl Desky, Bell theatre, Liver- more, Calif. — Small town patronage. The Perfect Lover, with Eugene O'Brien. — Star very good. Support very poor. Fair business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre. Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. The Spite Bride, with Olive Thomas. — Not much to this picture. — Mrs. R. J. Jordan, Hinsdale theatre, Hinsdale, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Mrs. Leffingwell's Boots, with Con- stance Talmadge. — Good as usual. Con- stance sure makes a hit with our patrons. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cam- bridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. The Perfect Lover, with Eugene O'Brien. — O'Brien is popular with ladies here, and we did well with the subject. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Jos- eph, Mo. — General patronage. The Forbidden City, with Norma Tal- madge.— Don't see why any company will put a good star in a picture like this. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kings- port, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. The Way of a Woman, with Norma Talmadge. — Norma Talmadge always gets the money and especially when in a strong production like this. My hat is off to the Talmadge family. Book 'em all. — Walter Coddington, Home theatre, Rantoul, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Forbidden City, with Norma Tal- madge.— Big house in dull season. Ev- eryone pleased. Select's prints are good. — C. Welstead, Garden theatre, La Jolla, Calif. — General patronage. LOUISE LOWELL Fox news camera maid, who secured some splendid shots of the Prince of Wales npon his visit to Toronto. Jacques of the Silver North, with Mitchell Lewis. — A good north woods picture. Will get by as an original offer- ing where Code of the Yukon has never been played. Some scenes suggest a clipping from that picture. — J. C. Jenk- ins, Auditorium theatre. Neligh, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Upstairs and Down, with Olive Thom- as.— Picture a fine comedy-drama that pleased everybody and they are talking about it yet. Fine business. — A. J. Twilegar, Lyric theatre, Goldfield, Nev. — Mining camp patronage. Triangle You Can't Believe Everything, with Gloria Swanson. — Good program pic- ture.— C. C. Estes, Crystal theatre, Wa- tertown, Minn. — Neighborhood patron- age. Peggy, with Billie Burk. — Filled in on opening with a return. Went over better than expected. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General pat- ronage. Until They Get Me, with Pauline Starke. — A dandy picture. Pleased ev- eryone. Wish we could get more pic- tures as good. — E. D. Luna, Hulbert, Okla. — Neighborhood patronage. The Wild Goose Chase, with Hazel Daley. — Great. Great snow scenes. Good plot and acting. Many comments. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patronage. The Silent Rider, with Roy Stewart. — Not as good as some of Stewart's, but O. K. — C. C. Estee, Crystal theatre, Watertown, Minn. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. United Artists Broken Blossoms, a D. W. Griffith production. — The most effective piece of picture producing I ever saw, but it was over the heads of many. Delicate shad- ing in work of Barthelmess and Lilian Gish. Capacity business. — W. D. Martin, Badger theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. His Majesty, the American, with Doug- las Fairbanks. — This is a great picture and price not prohibitive to small the- atres. Everyone pleased. — E. J. Sher- burne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Broken Blossoms, a D. W. Griffith production. — A knockout. The picture is a disappointment to many, but is well liked by a majority. We advanced prices and put over a big advertising campaign. Broke all records. — Turner & Dahnken, T. & D. theatre, Sacramento, Calif. — General patronage. His Majesty, the American, with Doug- las Fairbanks. — Best Fairbanks picture to date. Drew well, good business. — Will F. Krahn, Lorin theatre, Berkeley, Calif. — Neighborhood patronage. Broken Blossoms, a D. W. Griffith production. — Nothing extra about this. Patrons disappointed in Mr. Griffith re- leasing such a poor story. Do not raise your price on this. Nothing to compare with his previous releases. — Arthur T. Goggans, Riverdale theatre, Riverview, Ala. — Neighborhood patronage. United Picture Theatres Playthings of Passion, with Kitty Gor- don.— This is a good one and will get ; the business. United have got only good Rictures. I have run them aU.^W. R> LIONEL BARRYMORE Star of the Paramount-Artcraf t picture, "The Copperhead." In this new photo- graph, the resemblance he bears to his brother, John, is more strikingly re- vealed than in any previous portrait. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. Her Code of Honor, with Florence Reed. — Fine in every way. Sure to sat- isfy any audience. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patronage. The Man in the Open, with Dustin Farnum. — Picture splendid. Fair busi- ness.— W. D. Martin, Badger theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. Her Game, with Florence Reed. — Good work by star and a pleasing subject. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Jos- eph, Mo. — General patronage. The Light of the Western Stars, with Dustin Farnum. — A splendid story and well staged. United to be congratulated on their first release. No mistake can be made in booking this one. — Walter Cod- dington, Home theatre, Rantoul, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Adele, with Kitty Gordon. — A war pic- ture, but good business and they liked it. — W. R. Pyle, Gaiety theatre, Kingsport, Tenn. — Neighborhood patronage. Universal The Delicious Little Devil, with Mae Murray. — If any exhibitor that is using Universal special attraction, don't make money it is his fault, for I think they are in a class by themselves. This one was a dandy. Story, star and photog- raphy great. — Wm. Francis. South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patron- age. The Delicious Little Devil, with Mae Murray. — Pleased all. Universal spe- cials are a good bet. — Raymond Piper, Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, Nev. — General patronage. The Sleeping Lion, with Monroe Sal- isbury—Best Western I ever ran. Star fine actor. — W. T. Hayes, Dreamland theatre, Providence, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. What Am I Bid? with Mae Murray. — First appearance of this star here. Pleased everybody. Good story, excel- lent photography.— Arthur T. Goggans, 101 EXHIBITORS HERALD Riverdale theatre, Riverview, Ala. — Neighborhood patronage. What Am I Bid? with Mae Murray. — This play contains everything that goes to make a special. Full of action, great photography. Everybody that saw it more than satisfied. Star great. Boost it. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patronage. The Heart of Humanity, with Dorothy Phillips. — A wonderful production. Don't be afraid to advertise big. The play will satisfy all. Receipts for us close up to our record. — Ed. S. Wegener, Lyric theatre, Valley Junction, Iowa. — Neigh- borhood patronage. The Scarlet Shadow, with Mae Mur- ray.— Very poor story. Nothing to it. Audience dissatisfied. — S. J. Handy, Princess theatre, Franklin, Idaho. — Neighborhood patronage. The Price of a Good Time, with Mil- dred Harris. — A good picture with a good moral. Print in fine condition. — ■ H. R. Jenkins, Opera House, Dahlgren, 111. — Small town patronage. Pretty Smooth, with Priscilla Dean. — Good plot in this one. Fine program picture. — Arthur T. Goggans, Riverdale theatre, Riverview, Ala. — Neighborhood patronage. What Am I Bid? with Mae Murray. — Fine. Pleased immensely. Extra good program picture. Better than some spe- cials.— John Waller, Swan theatre, Cla- rinda, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. The Little Brother of the Rich, with Frank Mayo. — First time to show this star, but everybody raved about him. Book this one and bill it as an extra. It will please most discriminating class. — D. Griffith, Cozy theatre, Dugger, Ind — Mixed patronage. The Weaker Vessel, with Mary Mac- Laren. — This picture is well named, for it surely is a weak one. Patrons walked out on it— J. H. Vaughan, New Orpheum theatre, Maquoketa, Iowa. — Critical pat- ronage. The Spitfire of Seville, with Hedda Nova. — Cannot think of a single reason why this picture should have been made. Shallow and unconvincing. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Bor- der mining camp. Outcasts of Poker Flat, with Harry Carey. — Some picture. Some star. Get- ting better in each picture as he goes along. — D. Griffith, Cozy theatre, Dug- ger, Ind. — Mixed patronage. Vita graph The Wishing Ring Man, with Bessie Love. — Clean picture. One everyone will like, old and young. — W. T. Hayes, Dreamland theatre, Providence, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. A Rogue's Romance, with Earle Wil- liams.— A very good reformed crook de- tective story. Has excellent Paris "Apache" slum scenes. — H. S. Earll, Star theatre, Davenport, Iowa. — General pat- ronage. The Bramble Bush, with Corrine Grif- fith.— Average program picture that pleased generally. — A Swedeman, Cen- tennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind. — General patronage. The Gamblers, with Harry Morey. — Nothing to recommend it. Original play poorly imitated. This picture lacks punch. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric the- atre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. In Honor's Web, with Harry Morey. —When a film company charges an ex- hibitor for one like this they owe him an apology. Certainly a very poor thing. Not one redeeming feature. — Ned Ped- igo, Highland theatre, Guthrie, Okla. — General patronage. All Man, with Harry Morey. — A good picture. Morey liked well here in all of his pictures. — H. R. Jenkins, Opera House, Dahlgren, 111. — Small town pat- ronage. The Clutch of Circumstance, with Cor- rine Griffith. — Leave it alone. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. The Enchanted Barn, with Bessie Love. — The kind of picture everyone likes to see. Lots of comments. A good comedy picture. — H. R. Jenkins, Opera House, Dahlgren, 111. — Small town pat- ronage. World When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast. — When I played this the house was filled early in the evening and con- tinued to fill until late at night. This picture cannot fail to please any audi- ence. I ran this picture two days to ca- pacity business. — Geo. H. Cooke, Hub theatre, Mill Valley, Calif.— Neighbor- hood patronage. When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast. — An excellent picture. Broke piling | " DETTER Times" I | *-* Was not a widely- | | heralded attraction. It j | simply came along in the | | "general run of things" j | and was offered to exhibi- I | tors on very much the | | usual basis. | But it made big business | | for every exhibitor who j | learned of its wonderful m | advertising possibilities and j | entertainment qualities, j | Did you Wait for a sales- j | man to tell you what j | another exhibitor had done j | with it? And did you j | believe him, at first? j | Exhibitors who read the j | early reports of its success j | in these columns didn't § | need a salesman to tell § | them. Unusually success- | | ful box office attractions j | are always chronicled 1 | FIRST in this department. j house records on one day's showing. — L. M. Lewis, Royal theatre, Hopkins, Minn. — Neighborhood patronage. The American Way, with Arthur Ash- ley.— Ashley is a clever actor and is ably assisted by Dorothy Green. Good pic- ture, full of pep.— E. J. Sherburne, Elec- tric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neigh- borhood patronage. The Girl Alaska, with Lottie Kruse. — Fine. Great snow scenes. Kind of plays the people watch for. Full of action. — Wm. Francis, South Side theatre, Greensburg, Ind. — Mixed patronage. The Arizona Cat-Claw, with Edythe Sterling. — One of the best program pic- tures I have ever played. Should have been classed as a special. All lovers of out-door pictures and scenic grandeur cannot fail to be pleased with this won- derful picture of nature. A good love story and strong cast. — Geo. H. Cooke, Hub theatre, Mill Valley, Calif.— Neigh- borhood patronage. Hit or Miss, with Carlyle Blackwell. — Not much to this one. Will mildly en- tertain but that is all. — E. J. Sherburne, Electric theatre, Cambridge, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Broadway Saint, with Montague Love. — Very weak picture. — Rae Peacock, Mystic theatre, Stafford, Kans. — General patronage. Specials Mickey (Western Import), with Ma- bel Normand. — Played this picture with singer dressed up in costume same as Mickey used in opening scene, and scored a hit. — J. D. Woodbeck, Casino theatre, Kissimmee, Fla. — General pat- ronage. Stolen Orders (Brady), with a special cast. — Another of those pictures good a year or so ago. Anything with war title hurts business here now. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — Gen- eral patronage. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Gar- son), with Blanche Sweet.— A splendid picture from every angle. However, our patrons do not like a picture with any war atmosphere or theme. — C. T. Met- calf, Opera House, Greenfield, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The She Wolf (Frohman), with Texas Guinan. — Old time Western we used to see in five cent theatres. Good in some cities, but not here. — Fred Cosman, Elec- tric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General patronage. Birth of a Race, with a special cast. — A wonderful picture. Don't be afraid to get behind this one. — Clifford L. Niles, Grand theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Gar- son), with Blanche Sweet. — This is a big one and went over. Pleased all who saw it. — L. A. Hasse, Majestic theatre, Mauston, Wis. — General patronage. Girl of Hell's Agony (Frohman), with Texas Guinan. — 100% to the good. Five reels of action and story in two swift acts. They ate it up. — J. B. Stine, Gem theatre, Clinton, Ind. — Mining town pat- ronage. Yankee Doodle in Berlin (Mack Sen- nett), with special cast. — At advanced prices it did not satisfy at all. Business dropped off to one-half on second day. Will draw a good cro'wd, but disap- pointed to the extent that patrons told me of it, which is rare. — F. K. Davis, Majestic theatre, Eastland, Texas. — Mixed patronage. EXHIBITORS HERALD Mickey (Western Import), with Ma- bel Normand. — Went well for four days. Exploitation puts it over. — Ben L. Mor- ris, Olympic theatre, Bellaire, O. — Gen- eral patronage. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Gar- son), with Blanche Sweet. — A very good picture of its kind. Good crowd, well pleased. — Jack Nutter, Deadwood the- atre, Deadwood, S. D. — Small town pat- ronage. Hearts of the World, a D. W. Griffith production. — Wonderful picture. Pleased regardless of fact that people are tired of war pictures. — Mack Jackson, Strand theatre, Ashland, Ala. — General patron- age. Woman (Maurice Tourneur), with a special cast. — Satisfactory. Drawing title but only suitable for high class audience, as it will go over the heads of laboring class. — F. K. Davis, Majestic theatre, Eastland, Texas. — Mixed patronage. Hearts of the World, a D. W. Griffith production. — I understand that other small towns made a success with this picture, but we came out only a little better than even on it. We billed the entire county. Charged 85 cents for matinee -and $1.10 at night and played it two days, but never had a full house on any performance. — A. N. Miles, Emi- nence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — General patronage. Hearts of Men (Hiram Abrams), with George Beban. — A wonderful picture, but we lost money on it after giving it spe- cial advertising. — Beth Drew Guhl, Pas- time theatre, Delavan, Wis. — High class patronage. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Gar- son), with Blanche Sweet. — We took in more money with this than any picture we ever ran, and on a stormy night at that. It is a very good production. — Frank Allen, Rose theatre, Byron, 111. — Small town patronage. Serials The Black Secret (Pathe), with Pearl White. — This is undoubtedly the best serial that ever played in my house or in Salt Lake. Opened show on first epi- sode at 10 o'clock Sunday morning and my aisles were full by 11 o'clock. This is absolutely a knockout. — Ray Peterson, Cozy theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah. — Downtown patronage. Smashing Barriers (Vitagraph), with William Duncan. — One of the best ser- ials we have ever run. — E. D. Luna, Hul- bert theatre, Hulbert, Okla. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Red Glove (Universal), with Ma- rie Walcamp. — Very good and made a good drawing, but have had better.— R. M. Stuntebech, Ozone theatre, Des Moines, Iowa. — Neighborhood patron- age. Trail of the Octopus (Hallmark), with Ben Wilson. — Best money making serial I have run. Doubled my usual Wednes- day and Thursday on first episode and each week shows an increase. Plenty of action and surprise well sustained which is all that is necessary for a good serial. — H. A. Jones. Garden theatre, Chicago, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Red Ace (Universal), with Marie Walcamp. — A good serial, but as it has war flavor it is a little old. — H. H. Jew- ett. Grand theatre, Annandale, Minn. Smashing Barriers (Vitagraph), with William Duncan. — First three chapters indicate that this is the best serial yet. It is different and has humor and human interest and actors act like human beings and do reasonable things. Big drawing card. — Ben L. Morris, Olympic theatre, Bellaire, Ohio. — General patronage. The Perils of Thunder Mountain (Vit- agraph), with Antonio Moreno. — Does not draw very well after five or six epi- sodes. Too much sameness. — W. C. Cleeton, Gem theatre, Higbee, Mo. — Small town patronage. The Tiger Trail (Pathe), with Ruth Roland. — Gets good crowd. — Philbrick & Knoblanch, Rex theatre, Allen Neb. Smashing Barriers (Vitagraph), with William Duncan. — Best serial I have seen but serials are not popular here. — C. Welstead, Garden theatre, La Jolla, Calif. — General patronage. The Midnight Man (Universal), with James J. Corbett. — Another serial that will please where serials are liked. Went - big with us for Saturday show. Jim has pleasing qualities and ability that go with the serial fans. — Ben L. Morris, Olympic theatre, Bellaire, Ohio. — Gen- eral patronage. The Iron Test (Vitagraph), with An- tonio Moreno. — Merely held its own. My patrons prefer Pathe serials. They say they have more suspense to them than Vitagraphs have. — A. N. Miles, Emi- nence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — General patronage. The Great Gamble (Pathe), with^Anne Luther and Clark Hutchison. — We have shown three episodes to S. R. O. and with attendance on the increase. Sure is a puller. — J. J. Kudlacek, Swan theatre, Swanton, Neb. — Neighborhood patron- age. The Trail of the Octopus (Hallmark), with Ben Wilson. — In view of the fact that I am repeating on my competitor on this serial, it is getting me more money than any serial I have run in a long time. It is a mystery serial that keeps every one guessing. Business is improving with each episode. — P. M. Raskow, Home theatre, Chicago, 111. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. The Master Mystery (World), with Houdini. — Going big. Fine serial. Star at his best. Am playing the fourth epi- sode.— H. E. Gressler, Logan Heights theatre, San Diego, Calif. Hands Up (Pathe), with Ruth Rol- and.— Good serial. Good business. — G. E. Wendel, Opera House, Smithland, la. — Neighborhood pa-tronage. Perils of Thunder Mountain (Vita- graph), with Antonio Moreno. — On sev- enth episode. Holding up good. Great snow stuff and lots of action. — J. W. Ed- rington, Gaiety theatre, Santa Maria, Calif. The Fight for Millions (Vitagraph), with William Duncan. — Drew well and held up entire series. Photography very good. Am playing episode 15. — Alex McPherson, Los Alamos theatre, Los Alamos, Calif. — Small town patronage. The Tiger's Trail (Pathe) with Ruth Roland. — A very good serial of active type. Will please any audience. — D. B. Follett, Star theatre, Gibsonburg, O. — General patronage. Smashing Barriers, (Vitagraph) with William Duncan. — Has comedy line that so many serials lack. Good every way and holding up at eighth episode. Best serial yet. — A. Middleton, Grand theatre, DeQueen, Ark. — Small town pat- ronage. •103 USE THIS BLANK Box Office Reports Tell the Whole Story. Join in This Co-operative Service. Report Regularly on Pictures You Exhibit And Read in The Herald Every Week What- Pictures Are Doing for Other Exhibitors. Fill in this blank now and send to Exhibitors Herald, 417 S. Dear- born St., Chicago. Title Star Producer Remarks Title Star Producer Remarks Exhibitor ." Name of Theatre Transient or Neighborhood Pat- ronage , City State EXHIBITORS HERALD PEARL WHITE'S FINAL APPEARANCE IN SERIALS The popular serial star is believed by many critics to have made her last photoplay the best in her long career. Above are three scenes from the seventh episode of "The Black Secret," which indicate the thrilling qualities of the elab- orate production. Ibanez Declares Pearl White Is Most Popular Star in the World Fairbanks contribution to the United Artists' schedule, was secured from the Washington exchange and shown to the royal party. Vicente Blasco Ibanez, the Spanish novelist now visiting the United States, believes Pearl White, Fox star, is the most popular motion picture actress in the world. The distinguished writer paid this tribute to the star while on a visit to the Fort Lee Studios of Fox Film Corporation, where he went to observe first hand the making of motion pictures — a subject in which he is greatly inter- ested. The books of Blasco Ibanez have been sold by hundreds of thousands in the United States. He is properly addressed as Mr. Blasco, because Ibanez is his mother's name and it is a Spanish cus- tom to link the paternal and maternal names. Pearl White Most Popular In the course of his tour of the studios Mr. Blasco, who evidenced keen interest in the taking of pictures and the manu- facture of the films, was asked for his opinion as to the leading actress of the screen. He said: "I think Pearl White is far and away the most popular screen star in the world." This statement was not intended as a compliment to his hosts, for he did not know at the time that Pearl White is a Fox star. Further describing Miss White's 'vogue abroad, he said: "Known Throughout Europe "In France and Spain — in fact, all over Europe and South America, Miss White is known by all persons who attend mo- tion picture entertainments. Here is a name that stirs the imagination of men and women in the two continents. In Paris, where I have lived for years, the announcement that a Pearl White pic- ture is to be shown always brings a full house. "The French and the Spanish consider her the ideal type of American girl; they are carried away with her dash and nerve; her spirited acting captivates them and her daring evokes their en- thusiasm. So popular is she that thou- sands of European girls have taken to wearing their hair in the style adopted by Miss White. _ "I am quite certain that she could give a wonderful interpretation of several of the important woman characters in my novels." English Prince Calls For Fairbanks Picture During the stay of His Majesty, the Prince of Wales, at White Sulphur Springs, Va., a hotel was turned over to his highness and party, W. B. Hines, manager of the hostelry, lending every aid at hand to make the royal visit a pleasant one. When it was learned that the prince wished a motion picture exhibition for a certain day he was consulted as to the choice of stars and Douglas Fair- banks was the actor chosen. A print of "His Majesty, the American," the first Universal Camera Man Possesses War Record Captain A. V. Rogers, whose record in the Canadian air service during the war includes the sinking of a German sub- marine off Heligoland, for which he was decorated, is now a camera man at Universal City and has finished photo- graphing his first picture, "The Day She Paid," featuring Francelia Billington and Charles Clary. Capt. Rogers was engaged in com- mercial photography in Los Angeles before the war. While in London he met Rex Ingram, Universal director, who was also in the R. F. C, and from this acquaintanceship the Universal engage- ment developed. Washington Success of Realart Productions Still Continuing Realart's occupation of the Washing- ton motion picture field continued last week with the successful showing of Mary Miles Minter in "Anne of Green Gables." Tom Moore, the exhibitor, is reported to be highly pleased and has conveyed to Realart's Washington man- ager, W. H. Rippard, an expression of his enthusiastic faith in the box office appeal of Realart productions as evi- denced by the quality of the first pic- tures. Special Appeal to Women According to Manager Rippard, "Anne of Green Gables" had a particular at- traction of women and girls with the result that, in the estimate of Rialto Theatre men, more women attended this picture than any other of the best pic- tures shown in the same theatre. This particular patronage is attrib- uted to the fact that the Realart photo- play is based on the stories of Ameri- can young womanhood, the Anne stories of L. M. Montgomery. Almost every girl has read these widely circulated novels, and now they are taking advan- 104 tage of the opportunity to see them on the screen in an adequate and artis- tically perfect presentation. Novel Explotation Idea Realart exploitation men are suggest- ing to exhibitors a far-reaching and ef- fective method of tying up this picture with one of the largest bodies of fans in the whole country, the school chil- dren. Boys and girls of all ages are acquainted with the L. M. Montgomery hooks, which are used in supplimentary reading in many school courses. The variety of sources which open up from this angle so well suited to motion pic- ture exploitation that crowds of young folks should be drawn to houses show- ing the picture, in the opinion of Real- art publicity men. Manager Rippard's observations on the Moore showing of the picture attrib- ute the Rialto success to this particular angle. The same psychology holds true, he points out, in every part of the coun- try which has a population of young people who have read, in school or out, the tender and appealing Anne stories. EXHIBITORS HERALD Arthur S. Hyman Secures World Rights to "Penny Philanthropist' ' Prepares to Offer Production on Open Market — Will Retain Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio Rights The Arthur S. Hyman Attractions has purchased world rights to "Penny Philanthropist," the screen adaption of Clara E. Laughlin's book of the same title, and is preparing to offer it on the state right market, backed with an unusual and novel exploitation cam- paign. In it, Mr. Hyman is confident that he has one of the strongest offerings- of the year and predicts that it will take its place among the great successes on the independent market. Will Retain Five States Arthur S. Hyman in announcing his purchase stated that he would reserve the Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Mich- igan and Ohio rights for his own ex- changes. "I will not enter the Ohio field until the first of the year, but I don't want a competing exchange in that territory to have an attraction like 'Penny Philan- thropist'," he declared. "It is a winner and I want to retain it as the opening offering of my new exchanges in the state. "In purchasing 'Penny Philanthropist,' I have a production which merits a far reaching and unusual exploitation cam- paign and I intend to give it this back- ing. Opening with trade paper adver- tising, and later going into every avenue of publicity, I intend to make it the most talked of film in the United States. "The public is waiting for a picture with universal appeal. I have it." Stage Stars in Cast The featured players in "Penny Philanthropist" are Peggy O'Neil and Ralph Morgan, both stage favorites. Peggy O'Neil is known throughout the United States as the star of "Peg LIEUT. FREDERICK M. HALL, Who has gone to London to take up his duties as managing direetor of the Fox Film Corporation, Ltd. o' My Heart." Mr. Morgan has a num- ber of successes to his credit and at the present time is starring in "The Five Million," a Comstock and Guest production which recently opened an indefinite run at the Princess Theatre, Chicago. Others in the cast include James C. Carroll, D. E. Ehrich, Willard Burt, Rex Adams, Grace Arnold, Thomas Carey, Frank Weed and Merribelle Laflin. Story of the Production Miss O'Neil takes the part of Peggy, the "penny philanthropist," who has sold papers on Halsted street since she was six years old. Now at eighteen, she has a tiny store which she calls a "news emporium," and behind which she lives with her young sister Polly and little brother Petie. Peggy's kitchen is the meeting place of many homeless girls in the city and she has a gay neighborliness, too, with those who drift by her outdoor stand, and every day she gives away a penny to some- one she believes needs it. To Peggy's stand comes Tom Oliphant, who has been hardened against the world be- cause his father has been falsely ac- cused of crime by Mr. Kimbalton and imprisoned. Tom has vowed vengeance against Kimbalton and later is inno- cently caught with a bomb in his pos- session. Through the influence of Peggy, Tom is proved innocent and through her philosophy Mr. Kimbalton is led to see the mistake he has made and Tom's father is released from prison. Through the sleuthing of Petie the band of bomb makers is unearthed and the story ends with Tom and Peggy shyly professing their love. Goldwyn Home Office Doubles Floor Space The Home Office of the Goldwyn Pictures Corp., 469 Fifth avenue. New York, have been doubled in size by the taking over of the fifth floor of the building in addition to the eighth floor of the building, which has been occu- pied by the executive, advertising and accounting departments since May. The office of President Samuel Goldwyn, as well as those of most of the other executives of the company, will remain on the eighth floor. The advertising and publicity departments, under the direction of Ralph Block, as well as the accounting department, will be moved to the newly acquired fifth floor. Here, also, will be stationed the scenario force, which has occupied quar- ters in another building until now. Leaving for West Coast Bert Dorris and Faxon M. Dean, assistant director and cameraman, re- spectively, with Director Maigne in the production of "The Copperhead," will accompany Mr. Maigne to California about the middle of December, to act in similar capacity for Mr. Maigne's next picture, "The Fighting Chance." Edmund Breese and Marie Shotwell, who have important roles in Frank G. Hall's special now nearing completion under direction of Dallas M. Fitzgerald. Noted Actress to Play Binney Drama in London "Erstwhile Susan," in which Con- stance Binney is featured in her first Realart production, will be played upon the London stage by Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who has used the drama for her American appearances in the past, according to announcement from Real- art Pictures Corp. President Arthur S. Kane of Realart Pictures Corp. points out that this is an apt illustration of the working out of his theory that well known stage suc- cesses make the best motion pictures from a box office standpoint. The ad- vertising which results from a contem- porary stage and screen showing, it is pointed out, is cooperative and works for the benefit of all concerned. Director's Kin Appear In Realart Pictures Roy Webb and Dorothy Hoyle, brother and adopted sister of Kenneth Webb, directing Alice Brady in the pic- turization of "The Fear Market," Amelie Rives' novel, the former a composer and stage director of experience and the lat- ter formerly concert violinist with Sousa's Band, appear in the supporting cast of this production. An Italian villa was being filmed. Kenneth Webb, himself a musician, asked his relatives to lend their aid in providing the proper musical occom- paniment. It was their first appearance in film, though Roy Webb has been as- sisting his brother throughout the pro- duction of the play. Tucker Joins Goldwyn Richard Tucker, who has appeared in the support of many stars before join- ing the A. E. F., has signed a contract to play leads in Goldwyn productions. No decision has as yet been arrived at as to the star which -he will be chosen to support, but considerable importance is attached to the acquisition of his sig- nature by the contracting company. 105 Just Sawing Wood EXHIBITORS HERALD Construct Elaborate Setting for Olive Thomas' Latest Production ' 'Midnight Revue" Stage for "Out of the Night" Is Built on Large Scale— Original Stage Chorus Employed for Feature A set that resembles the "Follies" or the Cocoanut Grove, but larger than both of them put together, was used in screen- ing the big central scene of Olive Thomas' Selznick Picture, "Out of the Night," now in the course of the pro- duction. In building this set, the entire floor- space of the Selznick Fort Lee studio was used, and a "Midnight Revue" stage was built at one end — a complete stage, with footlights, curtains, orchestra pit and wings. The rest of the floor was turned into a cafe seating several hun- dred people. Star Appears as Dancer In "Out of the Night" Miss Thomas is first seen as a dancer, a Follies dar- ling, and the entire chorus of the Green- wich Village Follies appear with her, in the original costumes. It was through the courtesy of Al Jones and Morris Green, that Myron Selznick succeeded in getting the group of famous beauties to take part in the big cabaret scenes with Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas herself wears an exact duplicate of the costume worn by Bessie McCoy Davis, the dancer who heads the real Greenwich Village Follies, and in every particular the scenes are reproduc- tions of the show. The Greenwich Follies girls were faith- ful workers, too, and were on the job several days, including one all night shift that lasted until six o'clock of the gray dawn, owing to several accidents that necessitated retakes of the scenes. Supers Injured in "Panic" One of the thrilling moments of "Out of the Night" occur when a fire starts, and a panic occurs among the several TOM MIX AND EVA NOVAK Children of the warring clans who disre- gard the heritage of hate in "The Fend," a William Fox production. hundred guests seated at the tables. In the riots that followed, several innocent supers and a property man were slightly injured, and the scene was spoiled. The cabaret scene is one of many unique situations developed on an elabo- rate scale in "Out of the Night" and Miss Thomas will appear in a role which she has popularized among film fans — that of a capricious, spoiled darling of the fol- lies, adventurous, gay and high-hearted. "Out of the Night" was written for Miss Thomas by R. Cecil Smith. John Noble is directing. Sell Canadian Rights Harry Grossman, president of Gross- man Pictures, Inc., announces that Ca- nadian rights for the serial production "$1,000,000 Reward," featuring Lillian Walker, have been sold to Regal Films, Ltd., of Toronto. Frank G. Hall, president of Hallmark Pictures Corporation in commenting on the Leonard-Hall-Ascher Enterprises, Inc., contract, signed last week which calls for the services of Benny Leonard, champion lightweight boxer of the world, to star in a fifteen episode serial, to be produced and distributed through- out the world by Mr. Hall, comments as follows, on what he considers one of the biggest starring contracts signed in the picture field during the current year. Believes Public Wants Him "In signing Benny Leonard, the world's champion lightweight boxer, for a serial drama I believe we have re- sponded to an insistent country-wide demand from exhibitors and public, for Leonard's appearance on the screen. The public demanded James J. Corbett, Jess Willard and more recently Jack Dempsey, all champions in their day of one of America's most popular sports. Leonard, thru his whirl-wind victories over the world's best lightweight box- ers, has gained the reputation of being one of the cleanest and most sportsman- like exponents of the fistic art, ever wearing the championship belt. "For this reason and because, accord- ing to screen tests which have been made of Leonard, he displays that same American 'pep' and aggressiveness on the screen as he does in the roped arena, I contend that with a serial story written round him and a production, to be the best that the art of modern mo- tion-picture making can afford, the public will be given an attraction that for popularity, action, thrills and dram- atic episodes, will stand as unequaled in the serial field. Two of the juvenile stars in "Before the Circus," a Paraniount-Briggs comedy scheduled for early publication. "According to the plans for the produc- tion of the Leonard serial, which we have formulated, Leonard and his com- pany will travel through every impor- tant city in the United States, especially the big centres from New York to the Coast. The outline of the story which will serve as the vehicle for the Cham- pion in his debut on the screen, calls for 'locations' in fifteen different cities, each city serving the background for an episode of the serial, which will be fifteen episodes of two reels each. This novel manner of production will afford the lightweight champion a publicity and advertising backing never before ac- corded a serial star and as an exhibitor, I can appreciate the immense amount of publicity it will bring the theatre where the Leonard serial is played and the new patrons it will bring. Leonard Proves Surprise "When we signed Leonard to the ser- ial contract we did not place much con- fidence in his acting ability but since we have seen him in tests made and run in private projection, all concerned have come to the conclusion that Benny is an actor as well as a fighter. I am ne- gotiating with one of the screen's most prominent directors to take charge of production work and we expect to sur- round Leonard with one of the strong- est supporting casts obtainable. I will have something interesting to announce in the next issue of this publication re- garding the leading woman star who will play opposite Leonard. "In signing Benny Leonard to star in a serial production, I believe that I have satisfied an insistent demand from the public to see the world's champion lightweight boxer in the role of a mo- tion picture actor." Hall Announces His Plan to Star Benny Leonard in Feature Serial 106 EXHIBITORS HERALD Doing Denver's White Way With H. E. N The old "buzz" wagon took kindly to the high altitude and landed me here in Den- ver high and dry, the last going two ways. Started right in to see the boys and found things interesting. * * * E. J. Drucker, who has just returned from overseas, formerly manager of the old General office at St. Louis, has taken up his new duties as manager of the Hall- mark Exchange. Bert A. Mitz, formerly of Select at Omaha, is associated with him. * * * M. H. Cqhn, manager for Paramount, reports business great. H. I. Krause, W. VVog and Martin Cohn are covering this territory for Paramount. * * * Sol and Walter Lichtenstein have opened the Denver office of the Equity Distributing Corporation at 1436 Welton Street. The trade will have its first show- ing of Clara Kimball Young's "Eyes of Youth" next week, to which all the out- of-town exhibitors have been invited to at- tend. M. S. McVey, formerly of Chicago, has been engaged as salesman for Equity in this territory. * * * J. J. Morgan, familiarly known to the trade as "Jap," and who for nine years was with the Swanson-Xolan Company of Denver, has joined the Denver Theatre Supply Company as manager. Mr. Mor- gan is a recognized authority on projec- tion machines and supplies, and will now handle the Powers and Motiograph ma- chines, Minusa screens and Wagner con- verters. The Denver Theatre Supply Co. have made arrangements to handle the Speedco Arc controllers. Jos. Goodstein, manager of the Arrow Photoplay Corporation, left for New York City last week to close some deals whereby the exhibitors in this territory will be enabled to obtain some of the big state right features. Mr. Goodstein states that on his return he will make an announce- ment to the trade of his purchases. * * * H. A. Kyler, manager of the Supreme Photoplay Corporation, Denver, announces that "Virtuous Men," "The Curse of Eve," and "Once to Every Man" will be ready for release December 14th, and also that the one-reel "Screenics," produced by C. L. Chester, will be released simultaneously. Willis Kent has the Wyoming territory for Supreme, N. Misier, Colorado and W. A. Gerke, Southern Idaho and Utah. * * * A. G. Edwards, manager of Vitagraph, has booked "The Darkest Hour" for a first-run at the Isis Theatre, Denver, week of Nov. 23d. Mr. Edwards advises that Vitagraph will move into their new head- quarters at 1734 Welton Street, Jan. 10th. 'H. S. Slie and J. M. Hayden are traveling for Vitagraph in this territory. * * * F. D. Swanson, manager of the Swan- son Theatre Supply Co., states that he has had a great deal of trouble trying to sup- ply the demand for new seats in his terri- tory, and that he sees no prospect of meet- ing the demand in the immediate future. This firm has acquired the Colorado, Mon- tana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyo- ming territory for the Photoplayer and will act in the capacity of jobbers for the General Electric Fort Wayne Compensarc and Generators. Mr. Swanson advises that just as soon as the First National Ex- change moves to its new quarters he will have one of the best equipped accessory showrooms in the entire west, and plans to install a miniature theatre, fully equipped and up-to-date in every respect, for the guidance and help of every exhibitor in this territory. * * # Ed. Armstrong, manager of the Uni- versal Exchange, reports that "The Right to Happiness" is going over big and that "Blind Husbands" will have its premier showing in Denver at the American The- atre the early part of December. The fol- lowing quartet of salesmen are represent- ing Universal in this territory : Herman Leach, Eugene Gerbace, John W. Drum and William T. Binford. * * * G. A. Parfet, special feature salesman for Pathe, Denver, has just returned from a trip through Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska, with ninety-five contracts. Guy reports that Blanche Sweet's "A Wo- man of Pleasure," is booked solid in the above mentioned territory. * * * Harry T. Nolan, assisted by H. L. Hartman and Frank Hall of the First National Exchange, Denver, Colo., com- pleted the presentation of "Auction of Souls" at the Denver Municipal Auditor- ium last week. The services of Aurora The First Nail Marjorie Daw drives the first spike in the first set of Marshall \ eMail's first inde- pendent production. Mardiganian were secured and under the direction of Lieut. Jim. Anderson, the Armenian star, made a personal appearance in each performance. Notwithstanding the run of this feature was for five days only, owing to the fact that the Auditorium was rented for other amusement purposes after that time, it nevertheless played to twen- ty-two thousand people at seventy-five cents top. * * ♦ Ben S. Cohen, manager for Select of Denver, has Earl Radcliffe and L. E. Schaefer, salesmen, representing Select in this territory. Mr. Radcliffe left last week for Greybull, Wyo., where he will meet a number of Wyoming exhibitors to perfect a shipping plan to facilitate the movement of Select films in this territory. * ♦ ♦ Fred C. Quimby arrived in Denver last week and reports that the new Associated Exhibitors, Inc., is going over with a bang. Mr. Quimby, when seen in the Pathe Ex- change by the Exhibitors Herald repre- sentative, stated that inasmuch as only one exhibitor can hold a franchise in each city, and he has so many applicants from which to choose the new member, that he was afraid he was making some bad friends among the different exhibitors who wanted to be that franchise holder. Mr. Quimby also states that there will be a meeting of the members of this organization the early part of December, but that no definite meeting-place or date had been set. * * * T. Y. Henry, manager of the United Artists Corporation, reports that two prints of "Broken Blossoms" and three prints of "His Majesty, the American" were booked solid to January first. * * * H. D. Cassidy, manager of the Robert- scn-Cole Denver Exchange, has just re- turned from a trip to Salt Lake Citv. where he completed arrangements for the Exhibi- tors' Booking Association of Salt Lake to handle the entire production of Robertson- Cole. Mr. Cassidy is some little exploita- tion man himself. He has just placed 35,000 door-hangers and 5,000 window cards for "Better Times," which is playing at Tabor-Grand Denver, and one of the novel stunts Manager Cassidy used was the chartering of a street-car and trailer to carry a 60-foot banner on each side boost- ing "Better Times," which was run over every street car line in the city of Denver. * * * A. S. Aronson, Western Division mana- ger for Goldwyn, arrived in Denver last week. Mr. Aronson is making his regular tour of the Goldwyn exchanges. * * * Edward Holland, exploitation director for the Realart Special Features, arrived in Denver last week from Phoenix, Ari- zona. Bert R. Latz, manager for Realart in this territory, reports heavy advance bookings on "Soldiers of Fortune" and "The Mystery of the Yellow Room." * * * Joseph Kaliski, exchange manager for Fox, reports that "Wings of the Morning," featuring William Farnum, will play the Isis Theatre Thanksgiving week, and that "Eastward Ho," starring William Russell, goes into the Strand the same week. A. F. Bergen, who has been assistant manager in this exchange for the past six years, has resigned to take up his new duties at the Wm. Fox West Coast Studios. W. T. Withers, Abel Davis and John Rodgers are the trio of Fox contract hustlers in this territory. 107 EXHIBITORS HERALD Loew Circuit Closes Contract For New Series Lloyd Comedies What is declared to be one of the big- gest contracts ever signed for motion picture comedies, was entered into last week by the Marcus Loew circuit, when Joseph Schenck, acting for Mr. Loew, booked the entire series of two-reel Har- old Lloyd $100,000 comedies, beginning with "Bumping Into Broadway." The booking was made by John J. Dacey of the New York Pathe Exchange. A mini- mum of not less than sixty-five days' bookings is guaranteed the Lloyd come- dies in the twenty-seven theatres in the Metropolitan district. Among the Loew houses which will play the Lloyd two-reel features are the Delancy, Avenue B, Greeley, American, New York, Forty-second Street, Eighty- sixth Street, Circle, 116th Street, Seventh Avenue, Victoria, Boulevard, National Broadway, Bijou, Fulton, DeKalb, Bree- vort, Metropolitan, Warwick, Palace, Hoboken, New Rochelle, Lincoln Square, Durland, Shubert and the Orpheum. It will be noted from this list, that the Lloyd comedies will be shown in the Loew vaudeville houses, as well as his strictly motion picture theatres. Schenck Praises Series After looking over "Bumping Into Broadway," which captured audiences of the Strand and Rialto Theatres in New York, Mr. Schenck adjudged it one of the best made and most appealing come- dies he had ever seen, it is said. His impression was further strengthened when he saw "Captain Kidd's Kids," second of the two-reel series, which will be released on November 30th. "From Hand to Mouth," and "His Royal Sly- ness," all of which have been completed. With the Loew circuit booking the entire series of six Lloyds, Pathe is more confident than ever that the success of the young comedian's venture into the field of multiple-reel comedies is beyond the shadow of a doubt. Public Likes Lloyd That the productions have an appeal for all audiences was evidenced by the reception accorded "Bumping Into Broadway" at the Strand and Rialto Theatres, New York, and the Strand in Brooklyn. New York critics said the comedies were received with more genu- ine laughter than any comedy of recent months. S. Barrett McCormick of the Circle Theatre in Indianapolis following up his wire that the Lloyd features were in a class by themselves, dispatched another message after "Bumping Into Broad- way" had opened at the Circle, giving the picture further commendation. "The Fortune Teller" For Marjorie Rambeau Harry Cahane has purchased the mo- tion picture rights of "The Fortune Teller' for Marjorie Rambeau, from A. II. Woods, Arthur Hopkins and Leigh- ton Graves Canun. Miss Rambeau who, it will be remem- bered, was the star of "The Fortune Teller" for the length of its successful Broadway run, received permission from Mr. Woods last spring to make a series of photo plays. "The Fortune Teller" will be an Albert Capellani production for Pathe. Miss Rambeau will be directed by Mr. Capel- lani in person in a series of pictures. Mr. Cahane is securing several other plays for Miss Rambeau's use, all of which will have stories of strong emotional appeal. WANTED — MOTION PICTURE CAMERA A DeBrie preferred, although will consider other make. G. LACEY Argonne Hotel New York, N. Y. GUARANTEED Mailing Lists MOVING PICTURE THEATRES Every State— total, 25,300; by States, $4.00 Per M. 1070 Film Exchanges $7.50 313 manufacturers and studios 4.00 368 machine and supply dealers 4.00 Further Particulars: A. F.WILLIAMS, 166 W. Adams St., Chicago BROWN of HARVARD WITH TOM MOORE Released December 1st YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO OVERLOOK THIS ONE FOOLS GOLD FEATURING MITCHELL LEWIS and FLORENCE TURNER The Best Picture Mitchell Lewis Ever Made VIRTUOUS MEN «*k E. K. LINCOLN AN UNUSUAL PRODUCTION BY RALPH INCE ARTHUR S. HYMAN ATTRACTIONS CHICAGO— 1314 Consumers Bldg. DETROIT— 202 Film BIdg. W. G. McCOY, Manager C. O. BROKAW, Manager 108 Reported by "Mac" Judging from the excellent results ac- complished in New York City by the crea- tion of a film post to the American Legion, the ex-Army, Navy and Marine Corps vets of old Chi should get busy and start the fur flying about here. As a starter to the affair Nat Wolf, special representa- tive for the Greater Stars Productions, who during the big scrap was attached to the 310 Supply Company of the 27th Divi- sion, wants every man who served the Colors whether here or over there in the city of Chicago to get in touch with him so we can start things. Come on ye film men, let's drop that line to Nat immediately. Nat Wolf, 18th floor, Consumers Building, Chicago. the word, Jack, slip us the list of those "winners." W. S. Altland, assistant manager of the Hallmark exchange, informs us the Hall- mark films are elected for regular weekly set-ins, starting Tuesday, November 25, at the new State-Congress theatre, which opened last Saturday. Floyd Brockwell was given his initial glance to the gory arena of the local Elks pugilistic frays the other eve. Under- stand the card called for the featherweight championship of Cook County with "Paral- ysis" Finnigan and "Pat" Abrams crossing gloves. "Brock" agreed it was an evening well spent, although he preferred the more gentlemanly pastimes of football and riding bucking bronchos. Max Levy, district manager of Robert- son-Cole Co. for this territory, was host to Newton Levy, western supervisor for the company, en route to the Pacific Coast from New York, spending a few hours here be- tween trains. Must make a chap feel pretty snappy to arrive in the office of a morning and have the dope experts hand you the "record" scores of the week, and find the greatest score of them all had been registered. Well, it's a fact, and Ben Beadell, manager of the Select Pictures exchange, is the happy informant. More power to you, Ben, old top. That's some cute little "pub" that Man- ager Andrew Carsas, of the Woodlawn theatre is permeating his territory with. 'Tis called the Theatre News and has oodles of real live fan gossip within. To arrive at the local Universal exchange and find Morris Hellman absent, is sure "event" worth recording. Must have been busy trying to add to that pile he created on the world series. Lay off football, Morris. Northwestern MIGHT have de- feated Chicago — who can tell? Chick Keppler is a busy rep these days' arranging a Loop set-in for "Eve in Exile," the latest offering of the American Film Co. Alright, "Chick," that's no prob- lem— looks like a cinch from where we sit. Must have had another live week at the Plaisance theatre. Just a palatial Buick sedan and an overcoat fit to greet the most fastidious of mankind, that's all! Mum's Even old Gotham feels a trifle lonesome these nights with that great big diminutive p. a., Irv Mack, back again in the old home city. Yep, he came along with the Century Monday morn. Wallie Eckersall, football expert for the Trib, informs us that if Jim Thorpe's Canton Tigers defeat the local Hammond team on Thanksgiving Day, that he may be able to arrange a game with the local fillum celebs of the gridiron. Understand Cap- tain Meyers, of Pathe, has the following team to offer : Bill Weinshenker, center, Frank J. Flaherty, right guard; Jack Willis, left guard; Clyde Elliott, left tackle ; Harry Weiss, right tackle ; Cres- son Smith, right half back; Del Goodman, left half back, and the Captain playing full back. Subs too numerous to mention and, of course, the phenom at aerial passes, Willie Hershberg is a sure starter for quarter back. Exhibitors Applebaum and Jake Cooper will be cheer leaders with an armful of yells that mean suicide to any opposing team. Here's hoping Jim Thorpe wins the game on Turkey day and then watch our gallant warriors of filmdom. General Representative J. W. Allen of the Famous Players-Lasky territory, includ- ing and surrounding our busy little com- munity, says he has to order double the prescribed number of prints to take care of exhibitors who want to play "Male and Female," the latest super-special to be of- "Make It Snappy*' OWEN MOORE) The gentleman in the bathtub requests Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures, and Director Wesley Ruggles to speed it up for the "Piccadilly Jim" scene. fered by that company. Must keep a gen- eral representative pretty busy generally representing an organization like that, say we. "Monday Night Shows" for employes and invited guests only have been inaugurat- ed at the Paramount exchange. Musia^iv everything is provided and volunteers who have or believe they have talent are en- couraged to do their bit. Ought to be a rush in that direction of salesmen seeking occupation, say the usual editorial we, after a more or less comprehensive o. o. of the employes. C. W. Eckhart, central district manager with headquarters at the Chicago Fox ex- change, in exhibiting his invitation to at- tend the reception tendered the Prince of Wales at Fox's Musical Academy, imparts the information that King Edward VII, grandsire of the present prince, attended a performance at the Playhouse sixty years ago, said establishment then being known, simply enough, as the Opera House. No pictures were exhibited at this time. E. C. Bostick and Frank Cook, who are making Milwaukee film history at the Mer- rill theatre in that city, were Chicago visi- tors last wreek. J. Erickson, whose salesmanship has been engaged in the past in selling Fox and Se- lect attractions, has been made city repre- sentative for the United Picture Theatres. Pat Dillon, one time Pathe contract- purveyor, has become associated with F. O. Neilson in his newly launched enterprise, F. O. Neilson Feature Films. Pat is more than ever convinced of that sturdy sales- men's truism, "Some One Must Pay." The sales chatter of Ed Mordue of Pathe was abruptly concluded the other evening while out on the south side with one of Chi's exhibs by the urgent plea of a juvenile fan informing the interested conferees that somebody was attempting to annex a cer- tain 'Cabbage Six' that layto up the avenue a few paces. Naturally Ed was there with the frantic rush to the scene but only to find a poor tear shedding Celt consoling himself with the colors of his native heath so boldly displayed, remarking, "Shure it would take piles of nurve to harum that car wid the loikes of us scattered about this neighbor- hood." So Ed had one more chance to motor homeward. The Greater Stars Productions, Inc., is now located in their new suite, 18th floor, Consumers Building and will shortly pre- sent a gala appearance to their many ex- hibitor patrons after Managers Brockell & Elliott conclude the finishing touches. Si Greiver arrived home November 23 and agreed that New York is a great film market, although Si gave us the Sphinx act until later when he expects to give local filmdom plenty of films to pay their forth- coming Xmas expenditures with. 109 EXHIBITORS HERALD |tiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiii^ j BOOTH TARKINGTON GIVES VIEWS I Well Known Author Who Has Contracted To Write Series of Comedies for Goldwyn Compares Screen with Other Writing !lll!l!!'liailllllllllllllllllll!W Clyde Eckhardt, Chicago manager for Fox, is reported as in line for initiation into the Illinois Athletic Club. After his experience with bucking bi-planes of re- cent date he should feel no trepidation, whatever that is, about the initiation exer- cises. A night force has been put on at the First National exchange. Must be some- thing doin' thereabouts, eh? Or don't the old force work at par on the new, or old, whichever it is, time schedule? W. W. Hayes of the firm of Reid, Yemm & Hayes, owners of a string of theatres in the southern part of the state, was a Chicago visitor last week. Mr. and Mrs. Birch Wormold, whose Marquette theatre is a prominent LaSalle institution, were among those in the city on business this week. R. Raymond, formerly salesman for the Mickey Film Corp., is no longer a member of that organization. H. A. Ross, manager of the Detroit branch of Famous Players-Lasky, spent a portion of last week in Chicago in confer- ence with Special Representative J. W. Allen. Cecil B. DeMille, during his stay in Chicago last week, expressed himself as highly gratified at the way Chicago was receiving "Male and Female," his latest publication, as presented at the Randolph theatre. H. B. Franks, owner of the Grand thea- tre at Macomb, has sold that property to V. F. Grubb, owner of the Tokyo theatre, his opposition. The Huntley theatre, Huntley, is soon to be opened with R. J. Wolf as manager. E. H. Maisel has sold his Capitol thea- tre at Springfield to Itsky Bernstein, brother of the Bernsteins who operate the theatres at Lincoln. Theatres at Girard and surrounding small towns have been closed because of an epidemic of scarlet fever. A. R. Workman has purchased the Ruby Palace theatre at Marseilles from E. P. Milburn, formerly . manager and owner. Bee Hive Buys Rights to Chaplin Re-Issues Mr. R. C. Cropper, president and gen- eral manager of the Bee Hive Film Ex- change Co., has secured the Essanay re- issues of Charlie Chaplin in "The Cham- pion," "Work," "The Jitney Elopment," and "By the Sea," for Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Mr. Cropper has also completed ar- rangements with Mr. Victor Kremer, whereby he secures the series of ten features being released by the Kremer Company. This series includes features starring Bryant Washburn, Taylor Holmes, Jack Gardner, Richard Travers, Henry D. Walthall and Edna Mayo. These pictures will be published at the rate of two each month, beginning De- cember first. N-ew that Booth Tarkington has consented to write for the screen — his boy character creations to be pre- sented by Goldzvyn Pictures Corpora- tion in a series of twelve two-reel pictures known as Edgar Comedies — it is interesting to note the attitude with which the renowned author ap- proaches motion pictures. The fol- lowing brief expression of viewpoint was written by Mr. Tarkington after he had arranged to contribute the series of original stories to Goldwyn. By Booth Tarkington One writes fiction, but plays and pantomimes aren't written. A play or pantomime script may be, in the rough use of the word, "illiterate"; for the script is not intended to be seen, or even thought of, by the audience. Of course, I'm speaking of plays not meant as liter- ature. A play may be literature; coinci- dentally, a privilege denied to panto- mime. Should Not Be Called Author But the writer of fiction and the play- wright and the designer of pantomime have one thing in common — vision of life expressed by imitative interpreta- tions of life. A constructor of panto- mime designs, or motion picture stories, should not be called a writer or author, I think. He does write to clarify his designs to the people who execute them, but writing is not at all his art and he has only an incidental need to know something about writing. In the three mediums, fiction, play and motion pictures, the imitations of life must all try to produce in the imagi- nation of readers or audiences the illu- sion that not imitation but actual life is shown. Even in allegory and fantasy there must be a consistency in place of realism which makes the vision plaus- ible at least for the moment. Must Be Life-Like Now I know nothing of the technique of pantomime or motion pictures except the one law common to the three me- diums— that in order to produce an illu- sion of actuality, an initiative interpre- tation of life must be life-like. And if you are showing an audience a section of life with which that audience is fa- miliar, your truth to the subject must be absolute or you'll be caught lying. You can make your millionaires, all silk- hatted villains to the happy satisfaction of a poor house audience; you can make Kit Carson say "My word!" for a Lon- don audience, but unlife-likeness can be successful only in proportion to the ig- norance of the audience and this igno- rance is very unstable; it cannot be de- pended upon. If your subject happens to be boys (at times) you cannot depend upon any ignorance at all. Everybody in every audience is a boy or has a boy, or has been a boy, or has married or is going to marry somebody who is a boy, or has been a boy. Therefore, I have felt that it would be extremely unsafe not to make the designs of motion picture in- terpretation of boys, which the Goldwyn company is to produce, as life-like as possible. Scandanavian Outlet Secured By Goldwyn Arthur Ziehm, manager of the foreign department of Goldwyn Pictures Corp., has completed negotiations with what is said to be the largest distributing or- ganization in the Scandinavian penin- sula for the distribution of Goldwyn products in this territory. The representative of the foreign or- ganization is said to have voiced a par- ticular preference for the features star- ring Geraldine Farrer, Mabel Normand and Madge Kennedy. "The Flame of the Desert" and "The World and Its Woman," Farrar productions, he states, are the type that is popular in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, the countries which his organization will control. "Return of Tarzan" in Process of Production "The Return of Tarzan," by Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of "The Ro- mance of Tarzan" and "Tarzan of the Apes," is being produced in nine reels by the Numa Pictures Corp., under the direction of Harry Revier and the gen- eral supervision of George M. Merrick, who is responsible for "The Open Door," published by Robertson-Cole. The technical directors are Tom Tre- maine and Frank Champrey. The title role is portrayed by Gene Pollar, Evelyn Fariss appearing opposite. Scenes have been taken in and around New York. The producing unit is now in Florida. After finishing their work here the com- pany will go to California to secure the forest and desert scenes. Publication is set for early in 1920. Selznick Buys Stories Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures Corp., has purchased for pro- duction "The Point of View," by Ruth Ellis, originally a stage play, and "The Pride of Patricia," an original story by Elizabeth Redfield. No announcement has as yet been made as to the stars who will be featured. Title Changed The title of Owen Moore's forthcom- ing Selznick production, originally an- nounced as "Plans of Men," has been changed to "The Woman Hater." Wes- ley Ruggles is directing the filming of the play and Seena Owen has the femi- nine lead. 110 AMERICAN FILM COMPANY Distributed Through Pathe Exchanges. "A B»chelor'» Wife," five reels, with Mary Miles Mioter. "Trixie from Broadway," five reels, with Margarita Fisher. "A Sporting Chance," fire reels, with William Russell. 'Yvdnne from Paris," five reels, with Mary Miles Minter. The Tiger Lily/' five reels, with Margarita Fisher. •This Hero Stuff," five reels, with William Russell. FLYING "A" SPECIALS "Six Feet Four," six reels, with William Russell. 'The Hellion," five reels, with Margarita Fisher. 'Eve in Exile," five reels, with Charlotte Walker. ARROW FILM CORPORATION "Vigilantes," seven reels. 'Fool's Gold," six reels, with Mitchell Lewis. "The Law of Nature," with Vincent Coleman._ "\Vh*n the Desert Smiled." five reels, with Xeal Hart. "The Mysterious Mr. Browning," five reels, with Walter Miller. "The Profiteer," six parts, with Alma Hanlon. "The Sunset Princess," five parts, with Marjorie Daw. "Miss Arizona," five parts, with Gertrude Bondhiil. CHRISTIE COMEDIES "Sally '• Blighted Career," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Rowdy Ann," two reela, with Fay Tincher. "Mary Moves In," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Shades of Shakespeare," two reels, with Alice Lake. "Dangerous Nan McGrew," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Anybody's Widow." "He Who Hesitates." "A Flirt There Was." "There Goes the Groom." "A Cheerful Liar." "Cupid's Hold-Up." "Lobster Dressing." "Love — In a Hurry." "Reno — All Change." "His Master's Voice." "Home Brew." "Her Bear Escape." "He Married His Wife," two reels, with Edith Roberts. "Wild and Western," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "A Roman Scandal," two reels, with Colleen Moore. EDUCATIONAL FILMS Feb. 10 — "An Indian Love Story," one reel. Feb. 17 — "A Day With Caranza," one reel. Feb 24 — "What Is a Mexican," one reel. Mar 8 — "The Washington Air Patrol." one reel. EQUITY PICTURES "Eyes of Youth," with Clara Kimball Young. FILM MARKET, INC. "The House Without Children," seven reels, with Richard Travers. FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITORS' CIRCUIT, INC. "A Midnight Romance," seven reels with Anita Stewart. "Whom the Gods Would Destroy," six reels. "Daddy Long Legs," seven reels, with Mary Pickford "Mary Regan," seven reels, with Anita Stewart. "Auction of Souls," eight reels. "Sunnyside," three reels, with Charlie Chaplin. "Bill Apperson's Boy," six reels, with Jack Pickford. "Choosing a Wife," six reels. "Burglar by Proxy," five reels with Jack Pickford. "The Hoodlum," five reels with Mary Pickford. "A Temperamental Wife," five reels, with Constance Talmage. "Her Kingdom of Dreams," five reels, with Anita Stewart. "Back to God's Country," seven reels, with Nell Shipman. "In Wrong," five reels, with Jack Pickford. FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORP. PARAMOUNT- ARTCR AFT PICTURES Aug. 81 — 'The Witness for the Defense," five reels, with Elsie Ferguson Aug. 81 — 'The Valley of the Giants," five reels, with Wallace Reid. Sept. 7— 'The Misleading Widow," five reels, with Bilhe Burke. Sept. 7 — 'The Market of Souls," six reels, with Dorothy Dalton. Sept. 14— 'The Third Kiss," five parts, with Vivian Martin. Sept. 14 — "The Miracle Man," eight reels, with Tom Meighan. Sept. 21— "Told in the Hills," six reels, with Robt. Warwick. Sept. 21 — "Stepping Out," five reels, with Enid Bennett. Sept. 28 — "Widow by Proxy," five reels, with Marguerite Clark. Sept. 28 — "Eggcrate Wallop," five reels, with Charles Ray. Oct. 5 — "In Mizzouri," five reels, with Robert Warwick. Oct. 5 — 'The Life Line," five reels, Tourneur production. Oct. 12 — "The Lottery Man." five reels, with Wallace Reid. Oct. 12 — "The Grim Game," with Houdini. Oct. 19 — "Why Smith Left Home," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. Oct. 19 — "Sadie Love," five reels, with Rillie Burke. Oct. 26 — "His Official Fiancee," five reels, with Vivian Martin. Oct. 26 — "The Teeth of Tiger," with All Star Cast. Oct. 26 — "John Petticoats," five reels, with Wm. S. Hart. Nov. 2 — "Turning the Tables," five reels, with Dorothy Gish Nov. 2 — "L'Apache," five reels, with Dorothy Dalton. Nov. 9 — "Luck in Pawn," five reels, with Marguerite Clark. Nov. 9 — "Crooked Straight," five reels, with Chas. Ray. Nov. 9 — "What Every Woman Learns," five reels, with Enid Bennett. Nov. 16 — "Male and Female," six reels, all star cast. Nov. 16 — "23i% Hours Leave," five reels, with MacLean and May. Nov. 23 — "The Invisible Bond," five reels, with Irene Castle. \ov. 23 — "It Pays to Advertise," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. Nov. 23 — "The Miracle of Love," five reels. Nov. 30 — "Counterfeit," five reels, with Elsie Ferguson. Nov. 30— "Scarlet Days" (D. W. Griffith production). ONE AND TWO REEL COMEDIES Sept. 7 — Arbuckle, "Backstage." Sept. 7 — Briggs, "Skinny School and Scandal," one reel. Sept. 14 — Sennett, "Back to the Kitchen." two reels. Sept. 14 — Briggs, "Sprise Party N'Everything," one reel. Sept. 21 — Briggs, "A Rainy Day," one reel. Sept. 28 — Briggs, "The Fotygraft Gallery." Oct. 5 — Briggs, "Saturday." Oct. 12— Sennett, "Up in Alf's Place." Oct. 12 — Briggs, "Secret Society." Oct. 19 — Briggs, "Fire, Fire," one reel. Oct. 26 — Sennett, "Salome vs. Shenandoah," two reels. Oct. 26 — Briggs, "Skinnay's Sick." one reel. Nov. 2 — Briggs, "City Dude," one reel. Nov. 9 — Sennett, "His Last False Step," two reels. Nov. 9— Briggs, "Company," one reel. Nov. 16 — Arbuckle, "The Hayseed," two reels. Nov. 16 — Briggs, "Burglars," one reel. Nov. 23 — Sennett, "Down on the Farm," two reels. Nov. 23 — Briggs, "Before the Circus," one reel. Nov. 30 — Truex, "A Night of the Dub," two reels. Nov. 30 — Briggs, "Before the Circus," one reel. FOX FILM CORPORATION BIG PRODUCTIONS "Checkers." "Evangeline." "Kathleen Mavourneen." "Should a Husband Forgive"? WILLIAM FARNUM SERIES "Wolves of the Night." "The Last of the Duanes." "Wings of the Morning." TOM MIX SERIES "Rough Riding Romance." "The Speed Maniac." "The Daredevil." "The Feud." 'La Belle Russe." 'Lure of Ambition." THEDA BARA SERIES FOX ENTERTAINMENTS 'Broken Commandments," with Gladys Brockwell. 'The Winning Stroke," with George Walsh. 'Sacred Silence," with William Russell. 'Chasing Rainbows," with Gladys Brockwell. 'Eastward Ho!" with William Russell. "Thieves," with Gladys Brockwell. 'The Devil's Riddle," with Gladys Brockwell. "The Splendid Sin," with Madlaine Traverse. "The Merry-Go-Round," with Peggy Hyland. 'The Lost Princess," with Ray and Fair. "Snares of Paris," with Madlaine Traverse. 'A Girl in Bohemia," with Peggy Hyland. "Vagabond Luck," with Ray and Fair. "Lost Money," with Madlaine Traverse. "The Web of Chance," with Peggy Hyland. "Tin Pan Alley," with Ray and Fair. SUNSHINE COMEDIES "Her First Kiss." "Dabbling in Society." "His Naughty Wife." "Wild Waves and Women." "The Yellow Dog Catcher." "Footlight Maids." "Back to Nature Girls." "The Schoolhouse Scandal." "The Roaming Bath Tub." "Chicken a la Cabaret." "Hungry Lions and Tender Hearts." "Sheriff Nell's Comeback." "Her Naughty Wink." "Her Private Husband." "Her Heart Snatcher." MUTT AND JEFF "Everybody's Doing It." "In Spain." "Honest Book Agents." "The Chamber Maid's Revenge." "Pretzel Farming." "Why Mutt Left the Village." "Was She a Wife?" 'A Glutton for Punishment." 'Land of the Midnight Sun." Ill EXHIBITORS HERALD ''Berth of a Nation." "In the Movies." "The Pawnbrokers." HARRY GARSON "The Unpardonable Sid," »ight reels, with Blanche Sweet. '"The Hushed Hour," five reels, with Blanche Sweet. GAYETY COMEDIES Oct. 20 — "Dropped Into Scandal." Oct. 27— "Are Flirts Foolish?" Nov. 3 — "Dark and Cloudy." Nov. 10 — "Hits and Misses." Nov. 17 — "Bride and Gloomy." Nov. 24 — "Love Sick at Sea." GOLDWYN PICTURES CORPORATION GOLDWYN STAR PRODUCTIONS Inly 6 — "Through the Wrong Door," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. July 87— "The Peace of Roaring River," six reels, with Pauline Frederick. Aug. 8 — "Upstairs," five reels, with Mabel Nonnand. Aug. IT— "Heartsease." five reels, with Tom Moore. "Lord and Lady Algy," six reels, with Tom Moore. "The World and Its Woman," seven reels, with Geraldine Farrar. "The Girl from Outside," seven reels. Rex Beach Special. "Strictly Confidential," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. "Bonds of Love," five reels, with Pauline Frederick. "Almost a Husband," five reels, with Will Rogers. "Jinx," five reels, with Mabel Normand. "The Cup of Fury," five reels, Rupert Hughes Special. GOLDWYN SPECIALS "For the Freedom of the East" (Betzwood), six reels. "The Border Legion," six reels. ■The Eternal Magdalene," six reels. FORD EDUCATIONAL WEEKLY nly 6 — "The Fable of the Olive and the Orange." aly 18 — "School Days." uly 20 — "Town of Up and Down." uly 87 — "Sweetness." CAPITOL COMEDIES uly 18 — "Chasing Rainbeaux," two reels, with "Smiling Bill" Parsouj. uly 87 — "After the Bawl," two reels, with Carter De Haven. Aug. 84 — "Honeymooning," two reels, with Carter De Haven. RENNISON STAR SERIES "Sandy Burke of the U-Bar U," five reels, with Louis Benu..„... "Speedy Meade," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "The Road Called Straight," five reels, with uouts Bennison. "High Pockets," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "Lord Jim," five reels, with Louis Bennison. GOLDWYN-BRAY PICTOGRAPHS Sept. 7 — "The Samoan Follies." Sept. 14 — "Meet Nick Carter." Sept. 21 — "The Uncrowned King of Brazil." Sept. 28 — "Women Fire Fighters." Oct. 5— "Bird Cliff Dwellers." Oct. 12 — "Amazon Trails." Oct. 19 — "Three Men In a Boat and a Turtle." Oct. 26 — "Gold Mining in Heart of a Great City." HALLMARK PICTURES CORP. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love, Honor and ?," five reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Phantom Honeymoon," six reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Heart of a Gypsy," five reels, with Florence Billings. "High Speed," five reels, with Edward Earle and Gladys Hulette. SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS "Romance of the Air," seven reels, with Lieut. Bert Hall. "A Woman's Experience," five reels, with Mary Boland. "When My Ship Comes In," five reels, with Jane Grey. "When a Woman Strikes," five reels, with Ben Wilson. "The Other Man's Wife," six reels. "Wanted for Murder," six reels, with Elaine Hammerstein. "The Littlest Scout," five reels, with Violet Blackton. "A House Divided," six reels, with Sylvia Bremer. "The Challenge of Chance," seven reels, with Jess Willard. The Rothapfel Unit. CHAPLIN CLASSICS Oct. 5 — "The Floorwalker," with Charles Chaplin. Nov. 16 — "The Fireman," with Charles Chaplin. Dec. 28 — "The Vagabond," with Charles Chaplin. W. W. HODKINSON CORPORATION Distributed through the Pathe Exchange. ARTCO PRODUCTIONS "As a Man Thinks." five reels, with Leah Baird. "The Volcano," six reels, with Leah Baird. "The Capitol," six reels, with Leah Baird. ZANE GREY PICTURES, INC. "Desert Gold," seven reels, with E. K. Lincoln. BENJAMIN B. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS "The Westerners," seven reels, with Roy Stewart. "The Sagebrusher," seven reels, by Emerson Hough. J. PARKER READ, JR., PRODUCTIONS "Sahara," seven reels, with Louise Glaum. DEITRICH-BECK, INC. "The Bandbox," six reels, with Doris Kenyon. ROBERT BRUNTON PRODUCTIONS "A White Man's Chance," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. "The Joyous Liar," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. NATION AL-BILLIE RHODES PRODUCTIONS "The Blue Bonnet." six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Hearts & Masks," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Mary Minds Her Business," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love Honor And?" five reels, with Stuart Holmes and Ellen Cassidy. IVAN FILM PRODUCTIONS "Life or Honor," seven reels, with Leah Baird. MAURICE TOURNEUR PRODUCTIONS "Woman." "My Lady's Garter." "Broken Butterfly." METRO PICTURE CORPORATION June 2 — "Almost Married," five reels, with May Allison. Tune 9 — "Some Bride," five reels, with Viola Dana. June 16 — "Fools and Their Money," five reels, with Emmy Wehien. June 88 — "One Thing at a Time, O'Day," five reels, with Bert Lytell June 80— "The Uplifters," five reels, with May Allison. July 7 — "God's Outlaw," five reels, with Francis X. Bushman. July 14 — "In His Brother's Place," five reels, with Hale Hamiltou. July 31 — "The Microbe," five reels, with Viola Dana. Aug. 4 — "Easy to Make Money," five reels, with Bert Lytell. Aug. 11 — "A Favor to a Friend," five reels, with Emmy Wehlea. Aug. 18 — "The Four Flusher," five reels, with Hale Hamilton. SCREEN CLASSICS, INC., SPECIALS "The Great Romance," six reels, with Harold Lockwood. "Shadows of Suspicion," five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "A Man of Honor," five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "The Man Who Stayed at Home," seven reels, with all-star cast. "Lombardi, Ltd.," seven reels, with Bert Lytell. "Please Get Married," six reels, with Viola Dana. "Fair and Warmer," six reels, with May Allison. NAZIMOVA PRODUCTIONS "Toys of Fate," seven reels, with Nazimova. "Eye for Eye, seven reels, with Nazimova. ."Out of the Fog," seven reels, with Nazimova. "The Red Lantern," seren reels, with Nazimova. "The Brat," seven reels, with Nazimova. PATHE EXCHANGE, INC. PATHE SPECIAL FEATURES Aug. 31 — "The Thirteenth Chair." six reels, with Yvonne Delva. Sept. 14 — "The Virtuous Model, six reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. Sept. 28 — "The Twin Pawns," six reels, with Mae Murray. Dec. 14 — "The A. B. C. of Love," six reels, with Mae Murray. FRANK KEENAN PRODUCTIONS Aug. 17 — "The World Aflame," six reels, with Frank Keenan. Sept. 21 — "The False Code." five reels, with Frank Keenan. Dec. 7 — "Brothers Divided," five reels, with Frank Keenan. VIRGINIA PEARSON PHOTOPLAYS, INC. June 8 — "The Bishop's Emeralds," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. Oct. 5 — "Impossible Catherine," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. ALBERT CAPELLANI PRODUCTIONS, INC. June 22 — "Oh, Boy I" six reels, with Creighton Hale and June Caprice. Aug. 84 — "The Love Cheat," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale. Oct- 12— "A Damsel in Distress," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale Nov. 16 — "The Right to Lie," seven reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. J. STUART BLACKTON PRODUCTIONS Oct. 19 — "The Moonshine Trail," six reels, with Sylvia Breamer and Robt. Gordon. Nov. 30 — "Dawn," six reels, with Sylvia Bremer and Robert Gordon. J. D. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS Nov. 9 — "A Woman of Pleasure," seven reels, with Blanche Sweet. Dec. 21 — "The Prince and Betty," five reels, with William Desmond. H. H. PRODUCTIONS Nov. 2 — "The Gay Old Dog," six reels, with John Cumberland. EXTRA SELECTED STAR PHOTOPLAYS May 4 — "The Cry of the Weak," five reels, with Fannie Ward. June 1 — "All Wrong," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. June 29 — "The Profiteers," five reels, with Fannie Ward. PIONEER FILM CORPORATION "The Boomerang," with Henry B. Walthall. "Virtuous Sinners." REALART PICTURES SPECIAL FEATURES "Soldiers of Fortune" (Dwan), seven reels. "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" (Chautard), six reels. STAR PRODUCTIONS "Anne of Green Gables," six reels, with Mary Miles Minter. "Erstwhile Susan," five reels, with Constance Binney. ROBERTSON-COLE PICTURES SUPERIOR PICTURES Oct. — "Kitty Kelly, M. D.," with Bessie Barriscale. Oct. — "Poor Relations," Brentwood production. 12 J EXHIBITORS HERALD Oct. —"The Gray Wolf's Ghost," with H. B. Warner. Nov. — "The Illustrious Prince," with Sessue Hayakawa. Nov. — "The Blue Bandanna," with William Desmond. Nov. — "A Fugitive From Matrimony," with H. B. Warner. Dec. — "Where There's a Will," Brentwood production. Dec. — "Beckoning Roads," with Bessie Barriscale. Dec. — "The Tong Man," with Sessue Hayakawa. Dec. — "The Golden Hope," with Edith Storey. SPECIALS 9 Oct. — "The Open Door," with all star cast. Nov. — (Tourneur). "The Broken Butterfly." Dec. — (Gasnier), "The Beloved Cheater." SUPREME COMEDIES Dec. — "Good Night Judge." Dec. — "Struck Out." MARTIN JOHNSON PICTURES Dec. — "Tulagi a White Spot in a Black Land." Dec. — "Through the Isles of the New Hebrides." Dec. — "The Home of the Hula Hula."' ADVENTURE SCENICS Dec. — "The Forbidden River." Dec. — "Just Over Yonder." Dec. — "I and the Mountain." STRAND COMEDIES Aug. 8 — "Betty and the Boys." Aug. 10 — "Good Gracious Grace." Aug. 17— "Meet the Wife." Aug. 24 — "Who's With the Baby?" Aug. 81 — "His Love Letters." Sept. 7 — "A Fair Sample." Sept. 14 — "Betty's Back Again." Sept. 21 — "Truly Rural." Sept. 28 — "Mixed Drinks." Oct. — "His Double Exposure." Oct. — "Speed. " Oct. — "Her Winning Way." Oct. — "Careful Kate." Nov. — "Too Many Bills." Nov. — "Is Your Sweetheart False?" SELECT PICTURES CORPORATION SELZNICK PICTURES "Upstairs and Down," five reels, with Olive Thomas. "The Spite Bride," five reels, with Olive Thomas. "The Perfect Lover," five reels, with Eugene O'Brien. "The Country Cousin," five reels, with Elaine Hammerstein. "Sealed Hearts," five reels, with Eugene O'Brien. "The Glorious Lady." five reels, with Olive Thomas. "Piccadilly Jim," five reels, with Owen Moore. SELECT PICTURES "Haling Passions," with Julia Dean and Edwin Arden. "Ta« Hidden Truth," six reels, with Anna Case. "Over There." six reels, with Anna Q. Nilsson and Charles Richmaa. "Break the News to Mother," six reels. "The Undercurrent," five reels, with Guy Empey. '. "A Scream in the Night." six reels, with Ruth Budd. "Happiness a la Mode," five reels, with Constance Talmadge. "His Bridal Night," five reels, with Alice Brady. "Faith of the Strong," five reels, with Mitchell Lewis. "Isle of Conquest," fwe reels, with Norma Talmadge. WM. L. SHERRY SERVICE Available at all Hallmark Exchanges "Marriage for Convenience," six reels, with Catherine Calvert. "Calibre .88." "Twilight," six reels, with Doris Kenyon. "Lore and the Law," six reels. (Edgar Lewis production.) TRIANGLE FILM CORPORATION Aug. 8 — "The Lyon's Mail," five reels, with Henry B. Irving. Aog. 10 — "Fruits of Passion," five reels, with Alice Mann. Aug. 17 — "One Against Many," five reels, with Anita King. Aug. 84 — "Her Greatest Performance," five reels, with Ellen Terry. Aug. 81 — "Black Eyes," (Special) five reels, with Taylor Holmes. TYRAD PICTURES, INC. "And the Children Pay." seven reels, with Garrett Hughes. "Your Wife and Mine," five reels. "Human Passions," five reels. "The Red Viper," six reels, with Garett Hughes. "It Happened in Paris." five reels. "Broken Hearts," five reels. UNITED ARTISTS CORPORATION Sept. 1 — "His Majesty, the American," eight reels, with Douglas Fairbanks. Oct. 20 — "Broken Blossoms," six reels, D. W. Griffith production. UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. COMPANY UNIVERSAL FEATURES uly 21 — "The Spitfire of Seville," six reels, with Hedda Nova, uly 28 — "The Man in the Moonlight," six reels, with Monroe Salisbury Aug. 4 — "The Petal on Current," six reels, with Mary MacLaren. Aug. 18 — "The Ace of the Saddle," six reels, with Harry Carey. Aug. 25 — "The Trap." six reels, with Olive Tell. Sept. 8 — "The Woman Under Cover." six reels, with Fritzi Brunette. Sept. 15 — "The Sundown Trail," six reels, with Monroe Salisbury. Sept. 22 — "Common Property," six reels, with Robt. Anderson. Oct. 6 — "Loot." six reels, with Ora Carew. Oct. 13 — "Bonnie. Bonnie Lassie," six reels, with Mary MacLaren. Oct. 20 — "The Brute Breaker," six reels, with Frank Mayo. Nov. 3 — "The Rider of the Law." six reels, with Harry Carey. Nov. 10 — "The Trembling Hour," six reels with Helen Jerome Eddy. Nov. 17 — "His Divorced Wife," five reels, with Monroe Salisbury. Dec. 1 — "Under Suspicion," five reels, with Ora Carew. Dec. 8 — "Lasca," five reels, with Edith Roberts and Frank Mayo. JEWEL PRODUCTIONS "The Right to Happiness," eight reels, with Dorothy Phillips. "Forbidden." six reels, with Mildred Harris. "Blind Husbands," seven reels, with Eric Stroheim. VITAGRAPH "A Girl at Bay," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Cupid Forecloses," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Hornets' Nest," five reels, with Earle Williams. "A Girl at Bay," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Cupid Forecloses," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Hornet's Nest," five reels, with Earle Williams. "The Man Who Won," five reels, with Harry Morey. "Shadows of the Past." five reels, with Anita Stewart. "The Girl Woman," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Bramble Bush," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Over the Garden Wall," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Wreck/' five parts, with Anita Stewart. "The Gray Towers Mystery," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Winchester Woman," five reels, with Alice Joyce. "In Honor's Web," five reels, with Harry T. Morey. "A Fighting Colleen," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Black Gate." five reels, with Earle Williams. "The Combat," five reels, with Anita Stewart. "The Golden Shower," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Tower of Jewels," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "The Darkest Hour," five reels, with Harry T. Morey. "Pegeen," five reels, with Bessie Love. VITAGRAPH SPECIALS "The Third Degree,' seven reels, with Alice Joyce. "Daring Hearts," six reels, with Bushman and Bayne. "The Gamblers." six reels, with Harry T. Morey. "The Wolf," six reels, with Earle Williams. "The Climbers." six reels, with Corinne Griffith. "The Vengeance of Durand," seven reels, with Alice Joyce. O. HENRY SERIES "The Guardian of Accolade," two reels, with Agnes Ayres. "The Friendly Call," two reels, with Walter Miller. "The Day Resurgent," two reels, with Gypsy O'Brien. "The Roads We Take," two reels, with Jay Morley. WORLD FILM CORPORATION uly 7 — "The American Way," five reels, with Arthur Ashley, uly 14 — "Dust of Desire," five reels, with Ruby de Remer. July 21 — "A Broadway Saint," five reels, with Montagu Love. July 28 — "Bringing Up Betty," five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Aug. 4— "Coax Me," five reels, with June Elvidge. Aug. 11 — "The Praise Agent," five reels, with Arthur Ashley. Aug. 18 — "The Girl Alaska," five reels, with Lottie Kruae. Aug. 25 — "The Man Without a Name." five reels, with Corene Uzzell Sept. 1— "The Battler," five reels, with Earl Metcalf. Sept. 8 — "His Father's Wife," five reels, with June Elvidge. Sept. 15 — "Forest Rivals," five reels, with Arthur Ashley. Sept. 22 — "Where Bonds Are Loosed." five reels, with Dixie Lee. Sept. 29 — "Miss Crusoe," five reels, with Virginia Hammond. Oct. 6 — "The Oakdale Affair," five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Oct. 13 — "Woman of Lies," five reels, with June Elvidge. Oct. 20 — "The Black Circle." five reels, with Creighton Hale. Oct. 27 — "Arizona Catclaw," five reels, with Edyth Sterling. Nov. 3 — "Me and Capt. Kidd." five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Nov. 10 — "The Poison Pen." five reels, with June Elvidge. Nov. 17 — "You Never Know Your Luck," five reels, with House Peter* Nov. 24 — "Dad's Girl," five reels, with Jackie Saunders. PRIZMA "Catalina," one reel. "Everywhere." one reel. • "Model Girls," one reel. "Front," one reel. "Kiddies," one reel. "China," one reel. "Birds and Flowers," one reel. "Alaska Revelations," one reel. Glacier Park; Hawaii; Apache Trail; Old Faithful. ESSANAY-CHAPLIN COMEDIES "A Night in the Show," two reels. "Shanghaied," two reels. "The Bank," two reels. "Police," two reels. "Triple Trouble," two reels. NEWS REELS Kinograms, one-reel, every Tuesday and Saturday. UNITED PICTURE THEATRES June 8 — "Playthings of Passion," five reels, with Kitty Gordon. June 29 — "The Woman Under Oatb." five reels, with Florence B-1' Aug. 10 — "A Man's Fight," five reels, with Dustin Farnum, Oct. 19 — "Her Game." five reels, with Florence Reed. Oct. 19 — "Starting Out in Life," Cuckoo Comedy, two reels, with Bobby Burns. CURRENT SERIALS UNIVERSAL, "The Midnight Man," with James J. Corbett. VITAGRAPH, "Perils of Thunder Mountain," with Antonio Moreno. UNIVERSAL, "Elmo the Mighty." with Elmo Lincoln. BURSTON, "The Mystery of 13." Francis Ford. VITAGRAPH, "Smashing Barriers," with William Duncan. PATHE, "The Great Gamble," with Charles Hutchison and Anne Luther. S. L. K., "The Fatal Fortune." with Helen Holmes. PATHE, "Bound and Gagged." with Geo. Seitz & Marg. Courtot. PATHE, "The Black Secret," with Pearl White and Walter McGrail. HALLMARK. "The Trail of the Octopus," with Ben Wilson. ARROW, "The Masked Rider." with Ruth Stonehotise. UNIVERSAL, "The Great Radium Mystery," with Eileen Sedgwick. ARROW, "Lightning Bryce," with Ann Little and Tack Hoxie. HALLMARK, "The Sign of the Rat," with Claire Anderson. 113 EXHIBITORS HERALD DODGERS and HERALDS for all special features make up for the Chicago theatres, Special Dodgers and Heralds on all big features. They are illustrated, planned and written to get business, and are now being used by more than 200 theatres for all their special feature advertising. We are now carrying them in stock, and can ship all orders the same day received at $2.75 per M THE NATIONAL POSTER & PRINTING CO. Printers Exclusively for the Theatre 506 S. WABASH AVE., CHICAGO, ILL. DESIGNING - CONSULTING - SUPERVISING William T. Braun ARCHITECT 155 N. CLARK STREET. CHICAGO MOTION PICTURE THEATRES AND STUDIOS Coburn Organs Perfect tonal results signify every instrument we make COBURN ORGAN COMPANY Builders of Quality Organs 220 N. WASHTENAW AVENUE CHICAGO, ILL. The minute attention given to each detail of its construction enables us to say that PERFECTED PROJECTION is assured with THE DE VRY PORTABLE PROJECTOR it is entirely self contained, smaller and lighter than a suitcase. takes standard lize reels and films, attaches to any light wcket, operates* at the touch of a button and is ideal for use wherever it Is not practical to use the standard size machine. Write today for a complete catalog. THE DE VRY CORPORATION 1232 Marianna Street. CHICAGO, ILL JMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIII!'- | Only One Way E There's only = E One way — * * * ^ E To Make Money — * * * s 5 In the Show Business — * * * s | And | — * * * E E That is | E * * * E E To Keep | E * * * E E Abreast E ~ * * * — E Of the Times. E E * * * E 1 AND | — * * * — | The Only Way E E To Keep Abreast E E Of the Times E E Is by Reading E I The | — * * * E Exhibitors Herald. E — # * * — 5lilllllllllllllllllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|||F 114 EXHIBITORS OF AMERICA PROTECT YOUR SCREEN! Don't Sign Any Contract That Will Permit Industrial Advertising Films or Slides or Advertising Inserts in Pictures on Your Screen Until You Have Communicated With the Undersigned. SYDNEY S. COHEN, Pres., Motion Picture Exhibitors League, N. Y. State H. H. LUSTIG, Pres., Cleveland Exhibitors Association KING PERRY, Secy., Michigan Exhibitors Association SAMUEL I. BERMAN, Executive Secy., Motion Picture Exhibitors League N. Y. State FRED J. HERRI NGTON, Secy., Pennsylvania Exhibitors Association W. J. SLIMM, Executive Board Member, Cleveland Exhibitors Association CHAS. L. O'REILLY, Motion Picture Exhibitors League, N. Y. State SAM BULLOCK, Executive Secy., Cleveland Exhibitors Association I. M. SALYERDS, President. Roch ester Exhibitors Association PETER JEUP, Executive Board Member, Michigan Exhibitors Association W. H. LINTON, Treas., N. Y. State League Committee on Organization for the Protection of the Screen : SYDNEY S. COHEN, Temporary Chairman of Committee SAM BULLOCK, Secretary, Temporary Committee Temporary Headquarters of the Committee : Room 708 Times Building New York City WATCH FOR OUR NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT! The hit of the show in the BigTime The hit of the show inyourTheaf re - TOPICS OF THE DAY Selected from the press of fhe world by the editors of THE LITERARY DIGEST "No. 6 — Topics of the Day was especially good and created much laughter. This feature is making a hit with the Palace crowd." From the review of the show at B. F. Keith's Palace Theatre in New York, in the Billboard. "The Topics of the Day actually drew more real laughter than any- thing else in the show, yet the going was true to Palace form." From the review of the show in Keith's Palace Theatre in New York, printed in the Variety. PRODUCED BY Tl M E LY FILMS INC. One release aweek Pafhe' Distributors Vol. IX CHICAGO, DECEMBER 13, 1919 No. 25 . " I t f r t f y \ II 1 1 1 I / , , I > ! > > fiii/ i i i f iii tin ftfi 1 1 > 1 ' ' 'VV, It'll • \ ' ( '. >. \\\\ I ft I if 1 1 ii 1 1/ trim ■1.9 iititi.ri > \ \ \ \ V\ S ON :', ' rkkk ?! KKK ' 'V. • /v.vyv ftfttf'l /\y //,/// r,itttifii\ 'K 'J '.' i ' ' ' k f ' 1 WILL ROGERS in JubiLo PAULINE FREDERICK m cjhe Coves of Ce tty GERALDINE FARRAR in flame of the Desert TOM MOORE in cjhe Qaif Cord Qaex MABEL NORMAND in finto RUPERT HUGHES ^Jhe Cup of cjuri) , REX BEAGHS cjhe Silver Jtorde JACK PIGKFORD in Vhe Cittle Shepherd of KinqdomCome < "r - / f' N 1 > ii4 ' < ' ( > { i , t y - ' «r.V.kkk ' vV (fii.fiitn ii/YbvyY ' ' "> S > ^ > > 5 ' ; it > 1 1 1 1 It WW, p N \ \ \ \ \ V N \J ' I , I I I, ' l\ ' kV. ( ; ' ' ' { YVVVVYY ' ' ' 'fiii rti'iift Ml I / ii i tt yv\-.\ \\\ >\- .11,1,1, s "I ' SN V ' 1 1 1,1 1 1 WJ-ltlff' f ' >' ;' 'I I fit 11/ i N V W ,v ' \ \ > ^ \> Wit". f I •tf'tfl fl„, ft. ff t.i i f i /y IftfJ ' '/VYVWVVi \ \ v < v v\ tfllt tun N > > > i t i 'VV ! > > > > > 1 1 1 1 r ■ ■ r i \\\\\ / , i , 1 1 1 1 / i i / / ' i\ '■ ).> w y /' " 'Vv.V ' urn itUftC ■ :/V ; v nnn^ \ v v \ \ \ ttr if i i j 3 > > \ \ ^ \ \ > !> ! > JJ>. > > > N \ \ \ \ V V \ vj\ WW -r-f 'rfli If f ; (fit/// \\\ V, : ;• n. LiiHBO WEEKLY MARTIN J. QU1GLEY, PUBLISHER ON B DOLLAR tt SO. DEARBORN ST. Entered as ttcond class matter, August x>, 1917, at the Pott OMee at Chicago, III., under the Act of March 3, it?o A YBAR PRESENTS SCARLET DAYS' ^ Vale of the Olden West SCENARIO BY S. E.V.TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHED BY G.W. BITZER PERSONALLY DIRECTED BY D.W.GRIFFITH ji Cparamounjrtfrtcraft Cpicture EXHIBITORS HERALD If we had only Known its Drawing Power- (but YOU do know it) "We played 'THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS' last week at our Strand Theatre during a Centennial Celebration and free Street Carnival and in spite of the fact that we faced the worst com- petition, we played to capacity business from opening to closing each day. If we had known the drawing power of the picture we would have extended the playing engagement for the entire week. Will submit our first open time for repeating this subject within the near future." W. C. Quimby, JEFFERSON THEATRE, Fort Wayne, Indiana UKIVEItSAL — OFlLWILI-. SXJPBR. T? R.ODT7CTIOM -#* EXHIBITORS HERALD ike high, the middle and the low are al* PRINCE LAUGHS AT FILM FUN. The Prince of Wales had his first op- portunity yesterday since he came to New York to be "a regular boy," and he took full advantage of it. He went to the movies as guest of William Fox at the Academv of Music in Fourteenth The show started with an exhibition of Mutt and Jeff in some amusing antics. The crowd watched intently to see if he was going" to like it. He did. And every time he broke into a laugh the whole place laughed good-naturedly with him. The second Dicture concerned itself with some fantastic adventures of a not very successful troupe of dog catchers. Edward Albert followed their mishaps with a broad grin, and when a bump- tious goat came into the reel to enliven the proceedings, he laughed so heartily he imperilled his balance on the little chair. The entertainment concluded with movies of the Prince's arrival the day before. They afforded him an opportu- nity to view his entry from an opposite point of view to that of Tuesday -the picture had an unwonted touch of real- ism for every time the screen showed a cheering throng those inside supplied an appropriate volume „of welcoming dem- onstration. ways delighted with ENTERTAINMENTS 4 Look at pages 100 and 101 in the November 29th issue of the Saturday Evening Post. Look at page 68 in the December Ladies Home Journal. Look at the inside front cover of the November 29th issue of the Country Gentleman. — And you will see just the beginning of Lewis J. Selznick's gigantic real money bet that SELZNICK PICTURES will make money for you. PREVENT FUTURE REGRETS- BOOK SELZNICK PICTURES NOW s S^picturejP^ 31NY HW 50 NEW YORK SELZNICK -"W^VENTH AVE NETYORK R^CE W WALES IS VEBY GRATEFUL TO MISS ELSIE JANIS AND WOULD PLEASED TO ACCEPT A COPY OF HFP NEW FILM A REGULAR GIRL IF SENT TO HI a TO H.M.S.REN0WN AND HE WILL HAVE IT SHOWN ON BOARD ONE EVENING DURING HIS JOURNEY HOME TO ENGLAND. SIR GODFREY THOMAS PRIVATE SECRETARY/ bu Fiances Marion & Edmund Gouldin^ Direction - Jarnes Youn^ Made bu Selznick: Distributed bq Select - Direction — Wesley Rubles Made Inj Selznick Distributed bu Select Made by Selznick- Distributed by Select bij Ouida Bei^erc Direction — William P. S. Earle Made by Selznick Distributed by Select. MITCHELL LEWIS & LAST OF HIS PEOPLE" Stortj and Direction hv\ Robert North Bradlmrij OPPORTUNITY ^^PPORTUNITY is the 1 oudest knocker in the world, yet some- times the most difficult to hear. That's because there are those who have ears that will not hear and eyes that refuse to see. A lot of exhibitors have been howling for some time about somebody or other always trying to get the lion's share of profits by underground methods. ANY EXHIBITOR WHO WOULD LET ANYBODY GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING WHEN THERE'S A WAY OUT DESERVES TO LOSE NATIONAL PICTURE THEATRES, INC., is OPPORTU- NITY. It offers the positive way out. It offers you your chance to assure your profits for yourself now and for all time. NATIONAL PICTURE THEATRES, INC., offers you the opportunity — - now — either to listen or to refuse to hear; either to see or purposely to blind yourself. NATIONAL PICTURE THEATRES, INC. Lewis J. Selznick President 729 Seventh Avenue New York (REPUBLIC PICTURES) THE SYMBOL OF SUCCESS! PERFORMANCE counts in every phase of Big Business ! Behind the new symbol— REPUB- LIC PICTURES— lies the perform- ance and progress that has stood the test of time and comparison. A symbol of broadened leadership and perfect organization in which you get the dollars-and-cents profits that must come from proved box- office attractions and "live-wire" exploitation. As SELECT has merited your con- fidence and esteem,so will Republic. New in name — but old in the experience and understanding of the needs of those who have gained by? mutual trust. REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, Advisory Director * BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City REPUBLIC Ef| PICTURES) m Edward Godal presents MARIE DORO TWELVE TEN ftoduced for B.&^C. Films HERBERT BRENON REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, Advisory Director - BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City (republic PICTURES /L.LAWRENCE WEBER. \ / PHOTO DRAMAS .INC. \ present \ I "THE i BLUE REMIT with a Do Luxe cast headed by EDITH HALLOR FAIR BINNEy FLORENCE BILLINGS adapted from the SHUBERT PRODUCTION ANNA CRAWFOkD FLEXMPc directed by GEORGE IRVING J> FOREIGN RIGHTS CONTROLLED BY APOLLO TRADING CORP NEW YOftKw CITvV' REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZN1CK, Advisory Director . BRITON N BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City (republic [flgl pictures) cTAq AMAZING WOMAN " a LLOYD CARLETON production with RUTH CLIFFORD REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, Advisory Director BRITON N BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City REPUBLIC PICTURES) PRIZMA master pictures IN NATURE S COLORS ^ are released by REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, Advisory Director - BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City (REPUBLIC pictures) KINOGRAMS e Visual News of All the World will be released through the REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J SELZN1CK, Advisory Director , BRITON N BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City I EXHIBITORS HERALD CLASS OF SERVICE SYMBOL Telegram Day Letter Night Message Night Letter Blue Nite N L If none of these three symbols appears after the check (number of words) this is a telegram. Other- wise its character is indicated by the symbol appearing after the check. WESTER UNION teiJSram CLASS OF SERVICE Telegram Day Letter Nigh) Message Nigh -ritter NEWCOMB CARLTON. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. E. ATKINS, first vice-president If none of these thre^ appears, after the check words', tnis is a teleqran wise its character is indici ijmbot appearing after ' RECEIVED AT 1653 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY D36N0 AN 135 NL 3 EX P TULSA 'OKLAHOMA NOV 30 1919 ARTHUR S KANE PRESIDENT REALART PICTURES CORPN 469 FIFTH AVE NEW YORK NY YOUR KANSAS CITY MANAGER MR MACMEEKIN AND HIS REPRESENTATIVE KR FOX LAST NIGHT SCREENED SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE IN THIS THEATRE FOR BENEFIT OF LARGE CROWD OF EXHIBITORS FROM THIS TERRITORY STOP AFTER SEEING THIS WONDERFUL PRODUCTION IMMEDIATELY SIGNED A CONTRACT ON MR MACMEEKIN1 S OWN TERMS STOP THIS WILL BE THE FIRST PICTURE TO EVER PLAY THE MAJESTIC THEATRE ONE WEEK AT ADVANCED PRICES- STOP WE HAVE ALSO CONTRACTED FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON'S REALART PROGRAM AFTER HAVING PLAYED THE FIRST RELEASE ERSTWHILE SUSAN AT AN^ ADVANCE IN PJNTAL ON THE SUBSEQUENT ELEVEN PICTURES OF FIFTY DOLLARS EACH OVER WHAT WE PAID FOR FIRST THREE RELEASES 'CONTRACTED FOR STOP TOTAL AUOUNT OF CONTRACT SIGNED WITH MR MACMEEKIN TODAY MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS THE LARGEST CONTRACT WE EVER GAVE TO ANY ONE CONCERN IN HISTORY OF THIS THEATRE GLENS CONDON MANAGER MAJESTIC THEATRE n iy T flB GoGO Luck Pictun V> 19^/ Anita ste^arj Productions Inc. First National Attp action PRODUCED BY LOUIS B. MAYER 1 1 Directed By MARSHALL NEILAN From Tne Beloved Classic of The American Stage tyf^ Ohas T.Daze^ Scenario by /, " *inos. of Geragtrty , IT'S MELODRAMA [ That has stood the test o\ stac5e success of 11 years ITS THRILLING 7 Powerful * Gripping- Full of Heart- Touching, Soul- Stirrind Suspense ITS SPECTACULAR Tremendous Scenes Magnificently Produced. Thousands Of People — Crordeous Effects A SPECIAL FOR ROAD SHOW EXPLOITATION EXHIBITORS HERALD ivi it almost unijmjted crease m capital stock to an authorized amount of one financial resources and the benefit of a group of the million shares Of this amount approximately four best brains in the American field of commerce and hundred and fifty thousand shares will be outstanding finance under the new arrangement. Added to the great financial resources which this The deal means that with the Goldwyn company development brings to the Goldwyn company it is to there has been aligned a branch of the well-known 5e noted that already in association with the company Dupont family which is reputed to be one of the wealth- are Lee and J. J. Shubert and Al H. Woods, whose corn- iest groups in the United states, bined theatrical resources comprise a tremendous factor Means Investment of Vast Sum in the American theatrical situation and consequently T , , , t . , , - , , bring to Goldwyn a vast advantage in literary material. It has been known for some time that the Goldwyn players and sta°-e experience company has been approached with an offer from the The above-noted theatrical figures have been offi- Duponts for the purchase of a large block ot treasury cers and members of the directorate of the Goldwyn stock involving a sum of several millions of dollars. It company for some time is assumed that the arrangement was effected on this The're are several branches of the Dupont family- basis and that the Duponts have invested a vast sum ajj very wealthy, having built up several vast fortunes in the Goldwyn company in exchange for a substantial through the powder business and several more or less ownership. ^ .... allied industries in which they have entered. The various important commercial and financial personages listed above come into the Goldwyn com- Financed Capitol Theatre in New York pany representing the Dupont investment. It is ex- T. Coleman Dupont, who is rated as one of the pected that the activities of these men will be concerned wealthiest men in America, is the figure behind the new solely with the financial end of the business and that the Capitol Theatre of New York and owns many of the technical end of production and distribution of motion most important hotels in New York City. He is not pictures will remain in the hands of the present officers. mentioned, however, in connection with the Goldwyn 41 EXHIBITORS HERALD deal. This Dupont withdrew several years ago from the powder company and has invested his money in outside ventures. It has been known that certain of the Duponts who still retained their interest in the powder company have been ex- ceedingly interested in motion pictures and the possibilities of the industry. Also that at various times during the past three years they have had under advisement a multitude of motion pic- ture propositions. Apparently, after a thorough investi- gation of the field they decided to buy into the Goldwyn company and the present development is the result of this plan. Expanded Several Times The Goldwyn company has gone through several expansions since its original inception in 1916 by Samuel Goldwyn who previously had been a vice president of the Famous Players- Lasky corporation and who was said to have disposed of his interest' in the Famous Flayers company for one mil- lion dollars. A few months after leaving the Famous Players company Mr. Goldwyn announced the new company in associa- tion with Edgar Selwyn. the theatrical producer and playwright, Margaret Mayo, the author, Alfred Weiss, F. B. Warren and others. Later a group came into the organiza- tion headed by Moritz and Sam Hilder, manufacturers of New York City. Still later a new group including F. J. God- sol, the Shuberts and Al Woods entered the organization. Many Stars Under Contract The leading players now under con- tract with Goldwyn are: Geraldine Far- rar, Pauline Frederick, Mabel Normand, Madge Kennedy, Tom Moore, Will Rogers and Jack Pickford. It also has under contract the following authors: Rex Beach, Gertrude Atherton, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Rupert Hughes, Basil King, LeRoy Scott and Booth Tark- ington. Recently the company has been pro- ducing only at the West Coast where it operates at Culver City one of the most elaborate and complete studios in the world. It has been announced that pro- duction again will be resumed at an earlv date in the East. Alma Theatre Sold to St. Johns Theatre Man ALMA, MICH.— The sale of the Genesta Theatre in the John Spinney block on East Superior street, which was announced last week, is now confirmed in a statement by Gilbert Genesta, who has been the owner for more than a year. The theatre has been sold to Raymond J. McLaughlin of St. Johns, who owns the Victory Theatre in that city. He is a former Alma man and went to St. Johns about two years ago where he opened the Victory Theatre in that city. Monte Rice Is Secured By California Theatre LOS ANGELES. — Monte Rice, formerly publicity director of the Na- tional Film Corporation, has resigned to become chief of the press bureau of the California theatre under S. L. Roth- apfel. He succeeds Roy Miller. ^IIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN l SAMUEL GOLDWYN | | President of Goldwyn Pictures 1 Corporation Which Has En- g tered Into Huge Expansion § in Association With Dupont § Interests "Eyes of Youth" Given Novel Chicago Booking Brockell and Elliott, Illinois distribu- tors for "Eyes of Youth," have effected an unusual booking arrangement with the Gold and the Twentieth Century theatres, both located on Twelfth street, Chicago, practically in a single block. Both of these houses are to run the Clara Kimball Young feature for a full week, day and date. Due to this ar- rangement the crowds in the Twelfth street district who will want to see this feature should be able to get in at one house or the other. J. L. Friedman Closes Important Contracts J. L. Friedman, president of the Cele- brated Players Film corporation, announced this week that he has closed with Frank W. Thayer of the Merit Film corporation of Minneapolis on several important contracts involving "Million Dollars Reward," the serial produced by Grossman Pictures, Inc.; Hank Mann comedies, which will be avail- able about February 1 ; the Hallroom Boys comedies ; a new single reel produced by the Educational Film corporation, and a new single reel feature to be issued by S. B. Griever. Will Erect Theatre WILMINGTON, DEL. — The Wil- mington Corp., Samuel Greenbaum, president, will erect a motion picture theatre with a seating capacity of 200 at 806-8-10 Market St., the building to run through to King Street. One of the fc^Mires promised is an upstairs audi- torium. 42 Hampton Announces Purchase of Fiction For Early Filming Stories By Well Known Authors To Star H. B. Warner and Blanche Sweet After having considered hundreds of stories for his stars, H. B. Warner, Blanche Sweet and William Desmond, Jesse D. Hampton has announced five new purchases for film production. For Mr. Warner he bought "Behind Red Curtains," a mystery story of hyp- notism by Mansfield Scott, which is said to be ideal for the screen work of the star. For the same star he also secured the film rights to "Felix O'Day" by F. Hopkinson Smith, a tense drama of London and New York, and also a third story by F. Austey, English author and playright, entitled "The Brass Bottle." This :s a fantasy, and was successfully presented for several seasons in Lon- don. "Shook," a story by Marjorie Benton Cooke, was secured for Miss Sweet, and for William Desmond he obtained the film rights to "Half a Chance," a drama of the sea and London. This story is by Frederick Isham. A new luminary of the screen is promised in the person of Ruth Renick, whom the Jesse D. Hampton company found in a western stock company and for whom it is said that she has an ex- ceptional appeal in acting ability and personal charm. Miss Renick has had several years' stage experience as an ingenue. She will appear in H. B. War- ner's next picture. Film Men Charged With Unlawful Distribution Victor Kremer, distributing "A Bur- lesque on Carmen," "Work," "The Champion." "A Jitney Elopement" and "By the Sea," Essanay-Chaplin produc- tions on the state right market, has seized what is claimed to be a "wild cat" print of "Work" which was being exhibited at the Tioga theatre, Phila- delphia. A United States Marshal exe- cuted the writ of seizure. Gene Marcus and Tony Luchese, own- ers of the Twentieth Century Film Company. Philadelphia, to whom Mr. Kremer has sold the territorial rights to the five comedies listed above, in- cluding "Work," have announced their intention of prosecuting the officials of the Ideal Film Company, Philadelphia, which is said to have rented the pic- ture to the Tioga theatre. Joe Brandt in Chicago Joe Brandt, special representative of the National Film corporation, who is handling the marketing of "The Confession" for George H. Davis, spent a few days in Chi- cago this week looking over the territory with a view to placing the feature. Al Kohn Closes Deal Al Kohn of the Crescent Film corpora- tion, Kansas City, was in Chicago for a few days this week and closed several im- portant deals for pictures for his territory. EXHIBITORS HERALD ARTHUR S. KANE Who hasi resigned as president of Realart Pictures Corporation. He has made no announcement of his future plans. Arthur Kane Will Retire as Head of Realart Pictures NEW YORK.— Arthur Kane last week resigned his position as president of the Realart Pictures Corporation, his resignation to take effect within the next two weeks. Mr. Kane has been with Realart since its organization last Fall and has had a big part in making the company remarkably successful in an amazingly short period of time. While he was loath to discuss his resignation, Mr. Kane admitted it was due to a difference of opinion between himself and the board of directors, a matter in which the policy of the com- pany is concerned. Mr. Kane did not agree with a proposed change in policy and resigned because of this divergence of opinion. The board of directors con- sists of Morris Kohn, Ralph Kohn and Arthur Friend. "Scarlet Days" Opens LOS ANGELES.— D. W. Griffith's latest production "Scarlet Days," was given its national premier and pre-re- lease showing at Grauman's theatre starting Monday, December 1st. Ac- cording to terms of the contract be- tween Sid Grauman and Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players Lasky Corporation, the picture can be shown for one week only. Those who have prominent roles in "Scarlet Days" are Richard Barthelmess, George Fawcett, Clarine Seymour, Eugenie Besserer, Carol Dempster, Ralph Graves, Walter Long, Kate Price and others. It is being staged with special music and lighting effects. Max hinder Coming LOS ANGELES.— Max Linder, the French comedian formerly starred by Essanay, is coming to Los Angeles to make pictures, according to current re- port. Exhibitors Awaiting Government Ruling on Conservation of Fuel Theatre Owners Confident That Threatened Closing Of Amusement Places Will Not Materialize- Consider Supplying Own Power With the country facing a serious fuel shortage as a result of pro- longing of the miners' strike, exhibitors are marking time confident that the threatened closing of all places of amusement will not materialize. Announcement from the government, clarifying its attitude on the entire fuel situation, is expected within a few days. Until that time, different rules will be in operation in the different com- munities. In some localities, theatres have been ordered closed. In the greater part of the country, however, they have not been distributed. "People Must Have Amusement" — Policy Motion picture theatres, apparently, are to be given the same classifi- cation as churches, on the theory that people "must have amusement" — more especially in a crisis. The five preferred classes are : (1) railroads (2) army, navy and federal government; (3) state, county and municipal institutions; (4) public utili- ties, and (5) residences, apartments, offices, pubic buildings, and manufac- turers of petroleum. Under this classification, theatres take the same chance for fuel as the pack- ers, clothiers, manufacturers and others of lik6 importance. Some Theatres Already Closed Unable to get coal, theatres in a few communities of the country have al- ready closed. The most serious situation at the present time is in southern Illinois. Cairo theatres have closed and the same condition exists in nearby cities and villages. Reports received by Exhibitors Her- ald during the past few weeks indicate that the majority of theatres have a sufficient coal supply to heat their build- ings for several weeks to come. Their only concern is the possibility of being cut off from power and light by the public utilities. Indiana Exhibitor's Idea A. E. Brentlinger, owner of the Lib- erty Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind., opened a way for exhibitors to keep their thea- tres open even in case the public utili- ties shut off power and light. When the power company in Terre Haute shut the Liberty off from electric current on account of the coal short- age, Brentlinger secured a dynamo and using the 60-horse power engine in his Stutz car generated his own current. The result was that the Liberty was open for business' and played to record crowds with "Mind the Paint Girl" as the attraction. A similar plan was used by Ralph Crocker, manager of the Star theatre at Elgin, during a strike at the power plant in his city, several months ago. He used a Ford tractor to supply the power. Expensive But Worth It This means of supplying power is ex- pensive, but as a novelty gives theatres advertising which could not be obtained in any other way. Four Famous Authors Visiting Los Angeles LOS ANGELES.— Four famous authors, Zane Grey, Stewart Edward White, Emerson Hough and Winston Churchill, are in Los Angeles on busi- ness, connected with the filming of their novels by Benjamin B. Hampton, who made Grey's "Desert Gold" and White's "The Westerners." Another Zane Grey novel and the first of Emerson Hough's are also completed, and the production of Winston Churchill's work begins soon. All productions are to be specials, with all star casts, filmed with the author's co-operation and bearing his signature of personal endorsement. Burbank Theatre Will Offer Motion Pictures LOS ANGELES.— The historic Bur- bank theatre where many of Oliver Morosco's best-known dramatic suc- cesses were given their initial try-out, is to become a motion picture playhouse. The Gore Brothers, who now control a chain of theatres on Main street and in the residential districts of Los Angeles, have taken possession of the house. The name of the theatre will not be changed. Schlager With Read LOS ANGELES.— S. E. Schlager, until recently personal representative and publicity manager for Lew Cody, has resigned to take up exploitation work for J. Parker Read, Jr., in the in- terests of the Louise Glaum and Hobart Bosworth features. Theatre Changes Hands ORD, NEB.— The Gem theatre has been taken over by L. G. Larimer, who purchased the business from Miss Good- hand. Goldwyn Buys Land LOS ANGELES. — Abraham Lehr. vice-president of Goldwyn and general manager of their West Coast studios at Culver City, has announced the pur- chase of a tract of land containing fifty acres due west of the Goldwyn studios. The property will be fenced in and used for large street settings. 43 EXHIBITORS HERALD Eugene Spitz Completes Second Studio; Third Will Be Erected Estee Annex No. 2 Opened at 209-219 East 124th Street, New York — Well Known Broadway Actress to Be Starred in First Production NEW YORK, Dec. 2.— Another studio, known as Estee Annex No. 2, was opened yesterday at 209-219 East 124th street, by the Estee Studio Company, which for some time has own>ed the studio at 361 West 125th street. Covers Half Block The new studio is located at Second and Third avenues on 124th street and covers a half block. Eugene Spitz, presi- dent and manager of the company, is authority for the statement that the new studio is one of the most modern in the East. The studio consists of two build- ings, one the studio proper and the other devoted to complete dressing rooms, shower baths, reception rooms, a car- penter shop and property room. Special movable arcs of high candle power are features. More than usual attention has been given to the studio for the preven- tion of fires, all of the demands of the underwriters and state laws having been more than complied with. In connection with the opening of the new studio, Mr. Spitz announced the start of a production which will star one of Broadway's well known actresses. The identity of this person has been kept secret and will be until the production is well under way. Mr. Spitz states that this production is the first of a series of big ones he has planned and in which prominent stage and screen stars will be featured. Spitz Is Widely Known Mr. Spitz is widely known among film authorities and officials as the producer responsible for the making of the Stage Women's War Relief Series of twelve short masterpices. Mr. Spitz was the guiding hand in the producing of this series and contributed the use of his studio on 125th street, New York City, for the making of this series. A third studio for the same company will be completed soon after the first of next year, according to Mr. Spitz. This studio, the plans of which are now being made, will be one of the largest in the East and as far as is known will be the largest on a ground floor in New York City. Lee Ochs Leaving For West Coast to Organize Circuit NEW YORK— To further the elaborate plans of the Second National Exhibitors' Circuit, Lee A. Ochs, leaves this week for the coast. Mr. Ochs, however, will not go direct to Los Angeles, but will make many stop- overs en route. It will be his purpose to visit many of the exchange centers between the Atlantic and Pacific to discuss various details with exhibitors who have applied for franchises on the newly formed ex- hibitor-owned circuit, and who are anxious to get first hand information from the president of the organization as to the plans and ideas of the company. Just how long Mr. Ochs will be away from New York he himself does not know, as he intends to give plenty of time to the lining up of theatre owners and when he reaches the coast has a vast amount of work to be done as regards production activities of the circuit. Now that the work of organization has been practically completed here in the East, Mr. Ochs feels that he can go ahead with the active operation of the company and it is for this purpose that he is taking the trip to the coast. ft C. F. Zittel Resigns From International NEW YORK.— After resigning and later reconsidering, C. F. Zittel has again resigned as vice president and gen- eral manager of the International Film Service and retired from the organiza- tion December 1. In a statement issued with the an- nouncement of resignation, Mr. Zittel stated that the constantly increasing de- mand upon his time had made the step necessary so that he could devote his entire attention to the dramatic and motion picture departments of the New York Journal and New York American and look after affairs at the Campbell studio. Mary Pickford Back (Bv Wire to Exhibitors Herald) LOS* ANGELES, Dec. 2.— Mary Pick- ford has returned to Los Angeles from New York, having successfully defended the court proceedure brought by Mrs. Cora Wilkening, and immediately commenced work on the final scenes of "Pollyanna." According to announcement from the Pick- ford studios the production will be com- pleted within a few days as far as camera work is concerned. Francis Marion, who has resumed asso- ciation with the Pickford company, has heen named to write the titles for "Polly- anna." Marshall Neilan's "Big Six" Smile This picture taken a few days after EXHIBITORS HERALD first announced the organization of the Associated Producers Corporation. "Through reliable sources" we learn that it shows the well-known director-producer smiling over the "papers" 44 EXHIBITORS HERALD Lynch Group Backs Building Projects at San Antonio, Tex. SAN ANTONIO, TEX. — Capitalized at $120,000, . the San Antonio Amusement Company has been chartered, "to build playhouses and motion picture theatres." Affiliated with the Lynch Enterprises, with headquarters at Atlanta, Ga., which con- trol many theatres handling Paramount and Artcraft pictures throughout the south, the new company is expected to take a prominent position in the local amuse- ment field. It will build and operate a new theatre for which ground has been broken on Houston Street between the present Royal Theatre and the Brady Building and other projects are said to be contemplated. The site was purchased by the Lynch Enterprises several months ago. The incorporators of the San Antonio Amusement Company are E. H. Hulsey of Dallas, formerly owner of a string of Texas theatres, including playhouses in Dal- las, Houston and Galveston ; Allen T. Mor- rison, also of Dallas, and Y. F. Freeman of Atlanta, Ga., manager of the Lynch En- terprises. It is understood that similar companies will be or have been organized to operate in other Texas cities, and that all will be under the general direction of Mr. Hulsey of Dallas. It is also said that the Lynch interests will control about thirty theatres in Texas. Name Ince President and General Manager of Associated Producers Temporary Headquarters Established at Sennett Studios —Directors Join in Statement Out- lining Co-Operative Booking Plans By Wire to Exhibitors Herald LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2. — The following officers of the Associated Pro- ducers corporation have been elected : THOMAS H. INCE, president and general manager. MACK SENNETT, treasurer. Confirmation is given to exclusive announcement several weeks in Ex- hibitors Herald that the company will be known as the "Associated Producers corporation." A temporary headquarters for the company has been located at the Sennett studios. Ministers Will Fight Sunday Opening Effort MARION, OHIO.— All of the mem- bers of the Marion Ministerial Associa- tion joined in a protest, at their monthly meeting, against Sunday mo- tion picture theatres and requested the City Church Federation to investigate. Two picture houses were opened Sun- day, November 16, for the first time. According to an official announcement made public today other producers of ma- jor importance will be admitted into the organization from time to time. It is the aim of those responsible for the new organ- ization to include eventually as many as possible of the established motion picture directors. New System to Prevail The announcement issued from Mr. Sen- nett's office carried a surprise for distribu- tors who are seeking to annex the product of the Associated Producers. The state- ment declares that "a co-operative book- ing plan will prevail" and that the produc- tions will be "equitably available to all exhibitors regard- less of the number of theatres owned." The several producers concerned in the new enterprise state that work on the pro- ductions to be isued under the co-operative arrangement will commence immediately upon the expiration of present contracts and that no stated number of pictures per year will be agreed upon. The reason offered for this latter ar- rangement is that in the opinion of the associated directors the artistic value of pictures has been greatly retarded by the rushing out of productions to make a de- finite release date. No Outside Finance Each producer concerned in the new enterprise will finance the making of his own pictures and according to the plan will use as much time in the preparation of each individual picture as he thinks neces- sary to make a creditable offering. It is stated officially that no arrangement for the physical distribution of the product of the Associated Producers will be en- tered into at this time and also that the new organization has not yielded from its original intention of remaining independent of existing distributing companies. iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiN urn i niiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiui'iiiiiiiiiii minis WA TCH IT SINK "C1 ROM time to time a New York trade paper makes the amusing declara- tion that it alone is an all-sufficient medium of expression and communi- cation for this industry. This declaration is amusing rather than convincing because in effect it is merely a solicitation that some benign influence come to its rescue and save it from the crucial test that competition creates. EXHIBITORS HERALD welcomes competition because it is only through comparison that the reader is enabled to detect real merit. (Which accounts for the tremendous circulation gains of this publication.) The futile hope of monopoly, especially in the absence of even the essentials of leadership, is a recognizable part of the desire to DOMINEER — not to serve. \ j A publication which has lost the ideal of service has been hit below the water-line. Watch it sink. |* iwniiiiiuiiuiiniiiM^ iiiiiiniiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiuiiiinniuiiiiiiiiHiM 45 EXHIBITORS HERALD BLANCHE SWEET IN A BRET HARTE STORY "Fighting Cressy" is the latest vehicle of Jesse D. Hampton star. It is being distributed by Pathe Exchange, Inc. "Fighting Cressy" Given Premier At B. S. Moss Broadway Theatre Blanche Sweet 's Second Jesse D. Hampton Production Distributed by Pathe Is Screen Adaption From Bret Harte's Story of West Blanche Sweet's "Fighting Cressy," second of her series of starring vehicles under the management of Jesse D. Hampton and distributed by Pathe, was booked at B. S. Moss's Broadway The- atre several weeks in advance of the actual publication date. "Fighting Cressy" is an adaptation of Bret Harte's story of the West, "Cressy." Fred Myton made the adaptation. Ro- bert T. Thornby, well known as an actor, and in more recent years as director, handled the megaphone on "Fighting Cressy." Is Given Strong Cast Miss Sweet is surrounded in the second of her Hampton specials by a cast, among whom are numbered Russell Simpson as Hiram McKinstry, Edward Peil as John Ford, Pell Trenton as Joe Masters, Antrim Short as Seth Davis, Frank Lanning as Old Man Harrison, Billie Bennet as Mrs. Dahney and Georgie Stone as Georgie. "Mr. Hampton has made a most not- able contribution to what may be called 'the cinematic literature' of the day," comments Alden Sedgwick, author and critic, after witnessing a private screen- ing. "For here is expressed, with all the charm of the written or the spoken word — and with added high values — the story of Bret Harle, an emotional and picturesque page from the history of California. "The conditions for such a high achievement were exceptionally favor- able, for there were free at hand the very environment in which the distinguished American author had his characters love and hate and die — the rich beauty of upland and valleys, of cool shade leafage and sunny meadow. And added to these scenes that gave the writer his finer in- spiration were the flesh and blood actors, full of the feeling and spirit of the ro- mance and giving an interpretation which the author, were he alive today, must have declared perfect in expressing his artistic and human purpose. "The entire charm of the book is here, so that one may see and feel that he is beholding the reality of things. Nothing has been sacrificed to conventional melo- drama and the adaptation is made with a studious regard of the master-fictionist who was the author. The producer has been fortunate in having the personality and the sure art and emotional gift of Miss Sweet. She charmingly embodies the spirit of the story and I do not think that she has ever done better work in any other of her notable creations. It is a big story, done in a big way and with all the essentials that make for permanent success." "Cressy" is one of the best known of Bret Harte's famous stories of the West, dealing with the days when men "worked hard and played harder; lived fast and died faster." The story is one for which more than a score of motion picture pro- ducers bid, but which Mr. Hampton ob- tained after raising the figures some thousands above his closest competitor. "Fighting Cressy" is said to contain more human appeal, more natural charm than anything Miss Sweet has ever done. In "A Woman of Pleasure" she ap- peared in a role totally different from that of Cressy, the "fightin', lovin' " daughter of Hiram McKinstry. Jesse D. Hampton and Director Thorn- by were fortunate in obtaining at- mosphere for Harte's story, going right into the heart of "Toulumne County," California, where the author obtained his inspiration for "Fighting Cressy." Vitagraph Shifts Schedule Vitagraph has announced the substitution of "The Sins of the Mothers," in place of "The Suspect," previously announced for late next month. Both are Anita Stewart features. Loew Is Determined To Build at Buffalo Reported to Have Offered to Erect Warehouse to Get Desirable Site BUFFALO, N. Y.— Marcus Loew is determined to have a new theatre in Buffalo, according to the real estate men and theatrical agents. There have been many stories printed concerning Mr. Loew's attempt to secure options on downtown properties, but the latest is that he has offered to erect a new ware- house for the Household Outfitting Company, 5 East Huron street, if the owners will permit him to take over the present warehouse site located on Washington street. Without the site, it appears, it would be impossible to erect a theatre. When asked concerning the report of the proposal made by Mr. Loew, the manager of the Household Outfitting Company declined to deny or affirm it. He referred the inquirer to the law firm of Locke, Babcock, Spratt & Hollister, which, it is said, is handling Mr. Loew's affairs in this city. It was stated at the offices of the law firm that nothing could be said concern- ing Mr. Loew's business transaction in this city. Theatre Nears Completion WATERTOWN, WIS.— Norton's new theatre, being erected on the site of the Classic theatre and adjoining propertjr, is rapidly nearing completion. The seating capacity will be approximately 1.000. Opening at Alton, la. ALTON, IA.— Harry Paco and Jake Bouma of Orange City have opened the Rivoli theatre in this city. Mr. Bouma will act as manager. His partner oper ates a theatre at Orange City. Mayor Speaks at Opening DAVENPORT, IA.— The opening o the new Bettendorf theatre became ar auspicious event when Mayor P. W Reck appeared among the speakers. 46 EXHIBITORS HERALD An Authority Merchandise in Payment for Film Is Prospect Facing Exporters Sidney Garrett, Just Returned from Europe, Gives Interesting Resume of Situation and Points Out Gross Dangers in Foreign Market Returning from a several months' trip in Europe, during which he con- ferred with the principal film distribu- tors of England and the Continent, Sidney Garrett, president of J. Frank Brockliss Company, in an interview given last week, made the startling pre- diction that the time is not far distant when exporters will be forced to accept foreign merchandise in return for Ameri- can pictures. With the rates of exchange steadily growing worse, rather than better; with ^lllllllllllllllllll!IIIIIIIIUIIIIIII!im g = | The accompanying article § | by Sidney Garrett, presi- 1 | dent of J. Frank Brockliss, | | Inc., is an exceedingly j | illuminating digest of j | existing conditions in the § | foreign market. | Mr. Garrett points out 1 | that the present status j | of foreign exchange is j | such that American ex- j | porters maybe compelled § | to accept European | | merchandise as pay- I | ment for films. | Also that conditions in j | England are such that a § | single picture has little j | chance of profitable ex- § | ploitation; that British § | exhibitors generally are | | contracted as far as j | twelve months ahead, 1 | creating a situation in | | which only series pictures § | have a fair opportunity § | of getting marketed. | Mr. Garrett's article | | contains a wealth of val- j | uable and interesting j | information. Read it! j BwKllllirUill! 1 1 1 Hliu:il Itli 1 1 lllliltmiMIMIiaUiqMUIIIiBUUWUIIIIMIIWIHIUIIOWBBtWn^ the gold value of the money of the new countries of Europe, such as Czecho- slovak, almost negligible, and with the failure of the American government to bolster up the foreign money situation, j film producers and distributors in this I country must be prepared to extend long time credits to the European market, declares Mr. Garrett. "Even then, in some territories," he continued, "it is not at all unlikely that a new system of payment will have to be arranged — a system whereby foreign merchandise will be accepted in lieu of cash. This is due to the fact that finan- cial conditions are so unstable and chaotic, that the correspondents of American banks in these territories refuse to gurantee any credits whatever. The proposal to trade merchandise for film was made to me by the principals of some of the largest film organizations abroad. It was pointed out that there was ample precedent for such a method of payment, as it has been re- sorted to in other lines of business frequently in crises of the past. These distributors declared that unless co- operation of this nature, or of some similar character is extended them by American film interests, they will have to rely upon European-made pictures. Situation Is Desperate "I am not an alarmist, and I hope it is not going to be necessary for us to trade in merchandise, but after my trip, I have come to appreciate what the European distributor is up against, and to recognize the grave peril to America's present dominance of the motion pic- ture market of the world, if we don't take immediate steps to arrange for such co-operation by making credit arrange- ments that will enable foreign distribu- tors to handle our product. "No one can, I am afraid, fully ap- preciate the necessity for this without coming into direct contact with the con- ditions as they exist over there. Per- sonally, I know, that despite the fact that I am in the closest contact with the branches of our organization in London, Paris, and throughout the Con- tinent, I was inclined to believe that reports of the difficulties being ex- perienced by the distributors there were overdrawn for a purpose, until I was on the ground. "The continued high rates of ex- change, of course, from the basis for most of the trouble, but there are other post-war conditions which necessitate readjustments of viewpoints, which we have heretofore held of the foreign mar- ket, and of our methods of operation. "Take England, for instance. While here in America we have been prying our market, wider and wider open, Eng- land has been closing hers tighter, so that practically every theatre in Eng- land today is tied up solid for the next twelve months. This complete reversal of the former methods of booking in England, is due to the fact, of course, that the theatres of that country en- joyed unparalleled prosperity during the war, while the supply of pictures was dependent almost entirely upon America. The result was that managers were forced to enter into yearly contracts in order to insure getting the quality and quantity of productions which they de- sired. Like Contract Deals "The Englishman is a man of habit to a great extent, and having become 47 SIDNEY GARRETT Who is in close touch with the foreien sit- uation and has griven EXHIBITORS HERALD a comprehensive and complete summary of conditions. accustomed to the contract system, with its assurance of standardized price and supply, it is going to be a long time, if ever, before the British managers swing back to the open market. This means, obviously, that only the biggest of our independent pictures have a ghost of a chance in England until a year after their release here. In other words, to get a showing in England today, the independent picture must be so outstanding that the English ex- hibitor cannot afford to hold it back or turn it down. Unless subjects are of this nature they have no chance today of booking. The result is that the in- dividual picture is a little sought after investment upon the part of the Eng- lish distributor. With exchange rates requiring an excessive premium upon all purchases of American film, the Eng- lish distributor cannot possibly consider ( Continued on page 72) Building Theatres Throughout World NEW YORK. — Theatre building throughout the world apparently is on the boom, in the wake of war activities, judging from the requests received by Managing Director Edward Bowes of the Capitol theatre for photographs of the unique features of that huge amuse- ment institution. In compliance with requests from builders, who state they have large theatres either under way or in prospect, sets of photographs of the Capitol have been forwarded to three London archi- tects, one in Madrid, two in Rome, one in Berlin, one in Toronto, one in Japan, two in Australia, one in Havana and one in Buenos Aires, in addition to num- erous builders throughout this country. EXHIBITORS HERALD "Eyes of Youth" Plays To Record Business In Chicago House Clara Kimball Young Draws Big Crowds to Playhouse- Strong Ad. Display An era of prosperity was inaugurated when Clara Kimball Young's latest pro- duction, ''Eyes of Youth," broke all rec- ords at its first presentation in Chicago at the Playhouse theatre, when for the first time the Playhouse was compelled to hold its patrons out at 2 o'clock Sun- day afternoon, with the house packed to capacity, admission prices advanced to fifty per cent more than ever before charged, and throngs massing the streets nearly one block from the theatre. Big Ad Campaign The coming of "Eyes of Youth" to the Playhouse was well heralded, every avail- able foot of advertising space having been purloined by Harry Reichenbach, director of publicity for Equity Pictures Corporation, who went to Chicago two weeks ago to handle the publicity cam- paign. Banners erected at great height announcing the coming of Clara Kimball Young were strung across State street; flashlight signs of the production thrown on City Hall and conspicuously situated buildings startled passers-by, and as an eye witness jocosely remarked, "one might have thought it was election day." With "Eyes of Youth" making history in point of record-breaking attendance in Los Angeles, where the production is on its second week at Tally's Kinema thea- tre; in San Francisco, where the picture opened November 9, booked for three weeks, and Newark similar reports, the eyes of the film world are focused on its' metropolitan presentation, which wili take place at the Rivoli theatre Novem- ber 30. Is Strong Vehicle In "Eyes of Youth" one of the most ambitious film dramas ever constructed for either stage or screen, with its three episodes and big dramatic possibilities, Miss Young has fallen heir to one of the greatest roles it has ever been her lot to obtain, for she is called upon to portray four diametrically opposite characters — that of the school teacher, the opera singer, the dope fiend and the society matron. Supporting Miss Young are such well known players as Vincent Ser- rano, William Courtleigh, Gareth Hughes, Milton Sills, Edmund Lowe, Sam Southern, Pauline Starke and others. Oppose SundayTShows PERU, IND. — A delegation of twenty women, said to be members of the lead- ing families of the city, have presented to the city council a petition opposing Sunday motion pictures. No action has as yet been taken upon it. Sentiment is said to be evenly divided upon the question. Buys Modesto House MODESTO, CALIF.— Jay Gardiner, of Stockton, Calif., has purchased the Modesto Auditorium on I Street be- tween 6th and 7th. Mr. Gardiner will make Modesto his future home. New Neilan Studio In Hollywood Will Be Built at Once Marshall Neilan has moved his organi- zation from the Lois Weber Studio and has established his new producing head- quarters at 1723 Allesandro street, Los Angeles, opposite the Mack Seirnett comedy factory. Mr. Neilan's lease on the Weber studio expired last week at which time he finished the interiors for his initial independent production. Will Go to Canada Accompanied by Marjorie Daw, Lewis Stone, Jane Novak, J. Barney Sherry and other members of his cast and producing staff, Mr. Neilan left Los Angeles late last week for Bear Valley in the north- ern part of the state. After completing a number of exteriors there the company will go to Canada, where the film will be finished. Plans are now rapidly progressing for the building of Mr. Neilan's own studio in Hollywood and it is expected that actual work will be started on the con- struction in the near future. Mr. Neilan is at present planning a visit to New York within the next month and it is hoped that by the time he returns to California his new studio will be ready for occupancy. Naida Carle Is Engaged Just before leaving for the location, Mr. Neilan engaged Naida Carle, late of the D. W. Griffith scenario and publicity staff, to assist Eddie O'Hara in the West Coast publicity department. Under the name of Betty Burbank, Miss Carle has written many clever and amusing ar- ticles which have appeared in various publications and her services are ex- pected to prove of particular value to exhibitors showing the Marshall Neilan productions. To Enlarge Theatre BELVIDERE, ILL— Johnson and Johnson, architects, are making sketches for an increase in the size of the Majes- tic theatre to make the seating capacity 800 by the addition of a balcony seating 300. The front of the house is to be remodeled. New Akron Play House AKRON, OHIO.— A building permit has been issued for a $150,000 motion picture theatre and storehouse to be built at 12-16 East Market street by Botsum brothers. It is planned to have a continuous motion picture show. Change Theatre's Name VALLEY, GA.— T. E. McMinn, local exhibitor, has changed the title of his theatre from the Amuse-U to the New Franklin. "The Miracle Man" was the opening attraction. Waitsburg Theatre Sold WAITSBURG, WASH.— A. C. Stew- art, who formerly managed the Empire theatre of this city, has purchased the Play House, and will make extensive improvements. BENNY LEONARD BECOMES A SCREEN STAR Joseph A. Jacobs, Benny Leonard, Lewis Friedeker, (attorney), Frank G. Hall, Tobias Keppler (attorney), Billy Gibson, manager for Leonard, and Sidney Ascher, principals in the signing of Benny Leonard to a $100,000 contract to star in a motion picture serial to be produced and distributed by Frank G. Hall, pres- ident of Hallmark Pictures Corporation 48 EXHIBITORS HERALD Sees Revolution in Industry J. D. Williams Declares Exhibitors' Action In Forming Defense Committee Will I Block All Efforts to Control Exhibitors — Present Is "Forecast of What Is to Come" By J. D. WILLIAMS Manager, First National Exhibitors' Circuit Little more than two years ago pro- ducers and distributors said that exhib- itors were incapable of working together, fighting together and succeeding to- gether. Within three months the industry will learn the details of an exhibitor co- operative plan which, in magnitude, scope, strength and all-round effective- ness will far outrank any similar collec- tive activity by the so-called retail branch of any other business. Has Revolutionized Distribution The most interesting fact of the mo- ment about this early development is that the entire plan is the result of one already in existence, and which has been in existence for two years. In brief, this parent exhibitor co-operative idea is the bulwark and structure of First National Exhibitors' Circuit. It is the collective force that has literally revolutionized distribution. It is the one thing of which the executive head of a large distribut- ing company but recently said: "It is the stone wall that prevents us. from getting absolute control of exhib- itors. Members of First National Ex- hibitors' Circuit are strongly fortified with the product of a number of high class independent producers and inde- pendent stars with an unquestioned box office value. For that reason we cannot club into line for submission to our fast expiring sales plan the large number of important first run theatres they own and operate." In other words, more than a score of large theatre operators have demon- strated to the industry, in their two years of co-operative effort through First National, that they can work together in perfect harmony, that they can plan to- gether with absolute accord, and that they can succeed together, no matter what efforts the monopolistic producer- distributor and would-be exhibitor con- cerns make to gve them competition or to discourage their mutual confidence. Discusses Current Pictures There is a real significance for the future of First National's new plans in the current achievement of the co- operating exhibitor members of the cir- I cnit. I refer specifically to our schedule of releases for this month, December and January, and, in retrospect, to those of September and October. It is without j parallel in motion picture history. Never before has any distributing company, any producing company, or any combina- tion of the two offered to exhibitors gen- erally the same consecutive number of releases that are within fifty per cent of being equal in entertainment qualities, star value and box office appeal with the eleven current special feature attractions which First National has scheduled. The hst reads as though it were a ver- itable quotation from a book of "Who's Who in Filmland." Consider, separately or in the aggregate, the worth to exhib- itors of such a consecutive list as Mary Pickford in "Heart o' the Hills," Charles Chaplin in "A Day's Pleasure," Con- stance Talmadge in "A Virtuous Vamp," Norma Talmadge in "A Daughter of Two Worlds," Katherine MacDonald in "The Beauty Market," Anita Stewart in "Old Kentucky," "The Greatest Ques- tion," personally directed by D. W. Grif- fith, the Curwood-Carver production, "Back to God's Country"; the Lehrman comedy, "A Twilight Baby," and others of the same calibre that are being adver- tised. Exhibitors Did It Who has made possible this phenom- inal array of screen values? Exhibitors! And through co-operation. Two years ago the trade in its producing and distributing branches, scoffed and ridiculed the idea that exhibitors would work together or remain together for long. It has remained for exhibitors, not producers or distributors, to teach the entire industry a lesson in business man- agement and efficiency. And they have done it well. Take the total output of any distributing concern for the last year, pnd compare it, release by release, with the productions that this group of co-operative exhibitors have encouraged from independent stars and directors and manufacturers, and see how far ahead the exhibitors are in their ability to ob- tain real quality. The future is aglow with promise of what exhibitor co-ooeration will con- tinue to accomplish for worthy indepen- dent producers and stars, for the thea- tre owners and for the public. I pur- posely refer to the public, because it is the good solid foundation on which every film structure rests. Is Just the Beginning Despite its present attainments, First National has nowhere near approached the maximum accomplishments that are possible for it. Time will show that this statement is correct — in fact, that it is conservative. Desoite the fact that its current schedule of releases is the great- est aggregation of quality and talent ever presented consecutively, this great at- tainment is but a forecast of what is to come. Revolution is abroad in filmland. Ex- hibitors are the torch bearers. In evidence of this is the action of three great exhibitor interests who this week in the home office of First Na- tional Exhibitors' Circuit in New York signed agreements binding them closely to the new plan of expansion that has been created, and which is now being put into effect by the Exhibitors' De- fense Committee of the circuit. The new and greater First National has gone outside its own exhibitor membership for the first time to test the correctness and soundness of its proposals for a method of relationship between producers and theatres that is equitable, fair and just to everyone concerned. Response Is Instantaneous Within twenty-four hours after the last minute details of the plan of the Exhib- itors' Defense Commitee had been com- pleted theatres that have an aggregate valuation of more than ten million dol lars were pledged to it. Harry Crandall, of Washington, D. C, who owns and operates eight large thea- tres there and who is building several more, together with Charles E. White- hurst, of Baltimore, who owns six big theatres in that city, listened to the plan and immediately put their signatures to documents which make them now joint owners with Tom Moore, famous as the owner of the celebrated Rialto theatre in Washington, D. C., and of other im- portant theatres in the First National franchise for Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Mark Strand Company Signs Almost at the same time the Mark Strand Company of New York signed the contracts which include in the new plan its internationally known New York Strand and the new Mark Strand theatre of Brooklyn. Before this article can be published there will be many times the foregoing number of important theatre enterprises pledged to the plan conceived by the Exhibitors' Defense Committee of First National. Again — I repeat: Revolution is abroad in filmland, and the exhibitors this time are the torch bearers. I'liiiiiiiwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiinniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii j Rot hap f el to Give Los Angeles Treat § | LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2.— Sam j | Rothapfel is up to his old tricks. = | Conceding that Sid Grauman, his | § bitter opponent in the local exhib- | 1 iting warfare, has the better head 1 1 of hair for an orchestra conductor, § § Sam, nevertheless, maintains he is % | a better orchestra leader. With a view of getting the Los j | Angeles public on his side in the j | controversy, Rothapfel announces | | that on Wednesday evening he will | j smother his modesty and boldly j 1 stand in the orchestra pit in the 1 1 glare of the calcium, with nothing I | in his hand for defense but a baton. I It is whispered that there may I be a four-round bout with batons § | between Sid and Sam at the Ver- § I non arena. I At any rate, Sam conducts the J I California orchestra tomorrow § 1 night. J iiimiuiiiiiiH^ii'iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiii i iiiiiiiiiininiiiniiiiiiiiiiuiiniiiiiuiniiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiil 49 EXHIBITORS HERALD MIGHT BE BILL CARLISLE— BUT IT ISN'T "The Lincoln Highwayman" is the title of William Russell's present vehicle under the Fox banner. The picture is taken from Paul Dickey's original story of the same name and rapid progress is being made under the direction of Emmett J. Flynn. "The Lincoln Highwayman" Nears Completion With Russell as Star Work is well under way on a far west- ern section of the Lincoln Highway on the Fox feature, "The Lincoln High- wayman," based on Paul Dickey's popu- lar, story. William Russell, the star, is being directed by Emmett J. Flynn, who also adapted the story for the screen. Lois Lee plays opposite the star, and the cast includes Edward Peil, Jack Connelly, Frank Brownlee and Harry Springer. Tourists Watch Progress A garage has been built on the Lin- coln Highway at a turn in the road where more than 6,000 automobiles an hour pass. One of the difficulties that have beset Director Flynn is the park- ing of autos whose occupants insist upon seeing the big picture in the making. In one of the scenes Russell, driving his car, speeds along the highway at the rate of a mile a minute. On the side of the road, out of focus of the camera, Emmett J. Flynn during the filming of the scene, stood erect in his machine, directing the action through a mega- phone. A prologue, which has been finished, furnished some of the sensational mo- ments in the making of the picture. Indians rob the pony express rider. Then comes the holdup of the stagecoach. The coach, an old one, went over the cliff at a turn in the road just after it had got out of focus of the camera. The driver by jumping, escaped with minor injuries, but one of the horses was killed. A thrilling fight between Jimmy Clun- der, played by William Russell, and In- spector Steele of the Secret Service, played by Edward Peil, drew a big crowd to the set. Speed Up the Action C. R. Wallace, the film editor of the Russell-Flynn combination, has a habit of changing his continuity as he goes along — provided the change makes for increased action. He has had a busy time, and Director Flynn believes "The Lincoln Highwayman" will be the big- gest thriller of the year as a result of the cooperation he is getting from the star and the film editor. New Allen Theatre Is to Seat 4,200 NEW YORK. — Several changes in the original plans have delayed starting the construction of the new Allen theatre, which is to be erected on the east side of Woodward avenue, between Watson and Erskine streets, for the Allen Thea- tre Company of Toronto. It is planned to begin work as soon as the specifica- tions are completed by C. Howard Crane, architect; Elmer George Kiehler, asso- ciate. The site was leased from Hugh Chalmers for 99 years, through the Hannan Real Estate exchange. The theatre is to seat 4,200 persons and will embody the latest ideas in ele- vations, lighting and ventilation. Its cost is estimated at about $1,000,000. The Allen Theatre Company has '81 motion picture houses in operation, nearly all in Canadian cities. Continue to Elect United Directors Additional directors elected at local meetings during the past week in accord- ance with the recently announced plan of President J. A. Berst, of the United Pic- ture Theatres of America to increase their Board of Directors, include: Mr. George Simpson, of the Regent The- atre, Rochester, elected from the Buffalo territory; Mr. L. T. Kester, of the Rivoli and Rialto, Columbia, S. C, elected from the Atlanta territory; Mr. George Monroe, of the Jewel Theatre, Beatrice Nebraska, elected from the Omaha territory; Mr. M. H. Gwyn, of the Lyric Theatre, Terrel, Texas, elected from the Dallas territory; Mr. James C. Ritter, of the Rialto, De- troit, Michigan, elected from the Detroit territory; Mr. W. P. Cuff, of the Empire Theatre, Chillicothe, Missouri, elected from the Kansas City territory. Four Hundred Girls to Feature Next De Mille Four hundred girls will be given an opportunity to master the art of interpreta- tive dancing and, incidentally, enter the motion picture field under a master pro- ducer and director in the forthcoming Cecil B. DeMille production, which is sched- uled to start with the new year. Theodore Kosloff, premier male interpre- tative dancer, is now a member of the De- Mille all-star group and, in addition to play- ing an important role in the next produc- tion, will train this special ballet. According to Kosloff's plans, special ar- rangements will be made to train all can- didates up to the number of four hun- dred, entirely without expense to the pupils. Anticipating the fact that many of the pro- spective dancers would be otherwise en- gaged throughout the day, Kosloff has ar- ranged a schedule of evening classes which will permit the student-dancers to continue in other lines of endeavor through the day. "Terror Island" Title Given Second Houdini "Terror Island" is the title selected for Houdini's second mystery picture for Paramount-Artcraft, filmed under the working title, "Salvage." To save some of the sunken treasures of ships that were sent to the bottom by the U-boats forms one motive of the tale. There is in addition, a skull shaped pearl, upon which a man's life depends; a girl, kidnapped by her villainous rela- tives; a submarine built on a new plan;! South Sea Island adventures — indeed enough thrills, it is declared, to make the ordinary thrill picture seem tame by comparison. Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Grayi wrote the story and Walter Woods made the photodraina. James Cruze di- rected and Cullen B. Tate was assistant: director. The cameraman was Williarr Marshall. Next Florence Reed Soon Florence Reed will soon begin work oi another feature to be released by Unitec Pictures Theatres of America. The film ing will be done in the East at the nev studio of Tribune Productions, Inc. Thi: is the studio where a director's schoo will be put into operation within a shor time. 50 EXHIBITORS HERALD William C. De Mille Will Direct New Paramount-Artcraft Series "The Prince Chap" With All-Star Cast Headed by Meighan First Production — Work to Start This Month William C. DeMille, veteran play- right and director, will shortly make his debut as the director of a series of Para- mount-Artcraft special productions, ac- cording to an announcement made by Jesse L. Lasky, vice-president in charge of production of the Famous Players- Lasky Corporation. The first of this series will be "The Prince Chap," with an all-star cast headed by Thomas Meighan. Produc- tion work on this is slated to start about the middle of December. Mr. DeMille is well known to nearly two decades of theatre-goers as the au- thor of many famous stage successes and the director of nearly a score of suc- cessful photoplays. "Strongheart," "The Warrens of Virginia" and "The Woman" are a few of the famous plays from the pen of this versatile dramatic creator. In the five years of this association with the motion picture art, he has directed many of the greatest of the long list of Famous Players-Lasky successes. Comedy-Drama Productions Although he will follow the same gen- eral lines in the organization of his staff as his brother, Cecil B. DeMille, the productions of William C. DeMille will be of a very different type from those with which the brother's name has been associated. Comedy with a strong hint . of pathos is William C. DeMille's field, both by preference and training, and it will be to this style of photoplay that he will devote his efforts. Ever since his undergraduate days at Columbia University DeMille has been recognized as a playwright of unusual ability. His early association with the theatre as the son of David Belasco's partner, Henry C. DeMille, gave him an almost inherent intimacy with the drama. It therefore is not surprising that he forsook the career of an electrical eng- ineer in favor of the stage. Actor and Writer Like his brother, he served his appren- : ticeship as an actor and earned an I enviable reputation for his work behind ; the footlights. This experience, coupled with his successful stage writing, gave him a sympathetic understanding of stage 1 technique which has contributed mate- ! rially to his success as a motion picture f director. He joined the Famous Players-Lasky f forces five years ago in the capacity of >cenario editor. This in turn led him to directing, although he has continued t to devote a portion of his time to writ- o ing for both the stage and the screen. During his five years of screen work William C. DeMille has directed a total of eighteen productions which have been uniformly successful. His most recent H efforts have been devoted to two star- ,j ring vehicles for Robert Warwick, "The Tree of Knowledge" and "Jack Straw." No Definite Schedule is In addition to his longer plays, he is the author of a number of one-act plays which have entertained thousands of theatre-goers. One of the best known of these was entitled "The Land of the Free," and was subsequently elaborated into a longer drama which in turn later served as the basis of one of his best- known screen successes, "One More American," starring George Beban. Although no definite schedule beyond the production of "The Prince Chap" has ben drawn up for him, Mr. DeMille has several famous plays in mind which the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation is planning to purchase for production a^ William C. DeMille Specials. To Build at Pt. Huron PT. HURON, MICH.— M. L. Warwick and Herman Appel have purchased a site at Huron Avenue and Beers Street upon which they will erect a motion picture theatre. Buys Cotter Theatre MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK.— W. M. DeLapp, proprietor of the Cozy theatre, has sold a half interest in the playhouse to Leo Baker, and has purchased the theatre at Cotter. Ricord Gradwell Heads Security Corporation \mong the new corporations affiliated with the motion picture industry i-- the Producers Security Corporation, with general offices at 516 Pifth avenue. Ric- ord Gradwell, formerly president of the World Film Corporation, is president of the new organization. In describing the scope and objective of the company Mr. Gradwell says: "The Producers Security Corporation is primarily a service organization. It is not a producing concern, nor does it dis- tribute motion pictures. It aims to act as an intermediary between the producer and the distributor, and to safeguard the interests of both. "For the information of those who may be interested in the personnel of the Producers Security Corporation I have assumed the presidency and gen- eral managership; F. J. Hawkins, the or- ganizer of the Haworth Pictures Cor- poration, is the secretary; a well known trust company will act as treasurer; Campbell McCulloch, now associated with motion picture practice, will be in charge of advertising, and Nathan Yi- daver, whose legal services need no in- troduction to the motion picture indus- try, has become our general counsel." Huntington House Opens HUNTINGTON, IND.— T. C. Per- fect has opened his new motion picture theatre here. The building is of brick with concrete floors and equipped with rest rooms. SENOR VICENTE BLASCO IBANEZ VISITS PEARL WHITE The noted Spanish author recently spent a day at the home of the Fox star. The party is here shown in front of Miss White's home overlooking Little Neck Bay, Long Island. They are from left to right, Louis Renshaw de Orea, Leo A. Pollock, Vicente Blasco Ibanez, Major Wallace McCutcheon, Miss Blyth Daly, daughter of Arnold Daly, and the hostess, Pearl White 51 EXHIBITORS HERALD Miller to Manage Lynch Enterprises' Augusta Theatres Southern Syndicate Now Has Control of Six Houses In Georgia City S. A. Lynch Enterprises, following the culmination of what is said to be one of the largest realty deals in the south by which they acquired the Grand, Wells, New Modjeska, Strand, Rialto and Mod- jeska theatres of Augusta, Ga., announce the appointment of Frank J. Miller, well known Augustan, as general manager of the properties. Mr. Miller, who was interested in the New Modjeska Company and who was instrumental in putting through the deal by which the Lynch Enterprises pur- chased the property, has already arrived in Augusta and set up headquarters. There is only one other theatre oper- ating in the city. Purchase Price Withheld The new general manager would not give out the figures involved in the deal, but it is believed that it amounted to several hundred thousand dollars. The Rialto was recently built by the Lynch Enterprises, while the Wells and the New Modjeska theatres are two of the most modern vaudeville houses in this section of the South. The Strand, Grand and the Modjeska have been in operation for years. It is predicted as a result of the deal the Wells, which has been closed for some time, will be reopened. Mr. Miller, however, had nothing dejinite to say in this connection. The theatre formerly used the Keith circuit and it is expected the same will be employed in the future, although Mr. Miller was not in a posi- tion to give positive assurance of this. Old Managers Retained With only one exception the mana- gers now in charge of the theatres will hold their positions. J. F. Kane, who recently came to Augusta to take over the Rialto, Grand and Wells manage- ment for the Lynch Enterprises, will be transferred to Atlanta. For the first time in the theatrical his- tory of Augusta the majority of the houses are now under the control of one company — the Dreamland theatre is now the only locally owned amusement house. Mr. Milkr is a veteran in the theatrical business and has established a reputa- tion in the South of always delivering the best on the market. He first started in as manager of the Modjeska theatre more than ten years ago and when the New Modjeska Company was organized and the new theatre built, he became general manager of these two houses together with the Strand. Plan Theatre Chain in Small Delaware Cities GEORGETOWN, DEL.— Plans are being made for the construction of new theatres in Milford, Greenwood, Selby- ville and Georgetown. Capitalists of Milford are back of the project for the new amusement houses, which will be devoted mainly to motion pictures. At Greenwood the building will be built by C. B. Porter and will cost about $8,000. Construction has been started on the motion picture theatre at Selbyville by L. C. Hudson. Having acquired the site now occupied by the Peoples' Theatre, Market street and Railroad avenue, this city, E. G. Ryon, who for the past six years has been managing the Peoples' theatre, will either raze the present structure or move off the site and erect a brick building, at a cost of $8,000 or $9,000. It will be two-story, the upper floor to be used for a dance hall and the lower for motion pictures, traveling companies and con- ventions. Mobile Theatre Opens MOBILE, ALA. — The Dauphine the- atre, under the management of Robert Sterling of New York, has opened to the public, "The Miracle Man" being the first attraction played. The theatre is constructed along modern lines, thoroughly fire proof and furnished with latest mechanical equipment. Perform- ances will run from 10:30 A. M. to 11 P. M. F. H. Elliott Brands Picture Censorship Grossly Un-American Pre-publicity censorship of motion pictures is un-American and a restraint on freedom of expression, Frederick H. Elliott, executive secretary of the Na- tional Association of the Motion Picture Industry, charged in an address before the State Committee on Motion Pictures held in the Twentieth Century Club in Boston. Plans were discussed for improving the standards of pictures in general by those in attendance. Representatives of the Boston exchanges were in attend- ance. Mr. Elliott stated that in the agitation for state censorship covering a period of a dozen years only four states had en- acted such laws and in these censorship had been an absolute failure. The speaker was invited to attend the session by the state committee and it was evi- dent that his expressed views on cen- sorship made a deep impression. Final vote was withheld and no action on the proposed bill will be taken until the next meeting. Social workers, many of whom are against a state censorship bill, were present. Arrow Reports Sales In Several Territories J. S. Jossey, special representative of the Arrow Film Corporation, who is now on his way to the Pacific Coast on a sell- ing trip, has reported a number of sales for Arrow, among them being several features to the Exhibitors' Film Ex- change, Kansas City, and also a number of features to the First National Film Company, Kansas City, Mo., a number of subjects and serial to T. E. Larson in Tulsa, Okla., as well as features and short reel subjects to Doll-Van Film Exchange of Chicago and Indianapolis. Also the serial, "Lightning Bryce," to R. L. Hatfield for the Minnesota terri- tory. Mr. Jossey will be in the northwest next week and expects to arrive in Los Angeles. Cal., about December 20. ALICE BRADY'S SECOND REALART PRODUCTION Three scenes from "The Fear Market," recently completed, which is soon to reach the screen. There is a strong element of tragedy as well as romance in the feature 52 , 4 EXHIBITORS HERALD Big Exploitation Put Behind Film Demonstrates Percentage Profit First National Manager Experiments in Hazelton, Pa.; Results Stimulates Business and Shows Possibilities of Real Campaign in Big Pictures (Special Correspondence) HAZELTON, PA.,— This city is the scene of a merry little theatre war, which so far has resulted in nothing but gains for all factions concerned. It started when both of the largest theatres here refused the price set by the First National Exchange for the Mary Pickford production of "Daddy Long Legs." Both demanded a smaller figure for a three days' run, and in the concerted action of the two William Heenan, manager of the First National Exchange in Philadelphia, scented a com- bination for the purpose of reducing flat rental rates for Hazelton and he re- fused to compromise in any way. The exhibitors stood pat and Heenan de- clared war, as he expressed it, "to show 'em that the price is actually too low." He-enan was handicapped at the outset by the fact that the Feeley and Campbell theatres, the two which had refused the price, are the only places in Hazelton seating more than four hundred people. He made the best choice possible, which was the Diamond Theatre, a cozy little theatre far out in the neighborhood sec- tion, seatin'g a few less than four hun- dred. When the news of his plan be- came noised about it was the opinion that he "was licked before he started." Percentage Basis Deal The judges based this opinion on the fact that the Diamond is in the suburbs, remote from the business section, and rather inaccessible except to people living within walking radius. For this reason its policy had been that of a so-called "neighborhood" theatre. Heenan did not attempt to book the production on a flat rental basis, for this would have meant price cutting. He offered the Pickford picture on a percentage basis and Mr. M. P. Myers, the proprietor, ac- cepted. The first credence that was given to Heenan's statement that he intended to show that the picture could earn in a theatre seating less than four hundred, the rental he had asked from the large houses, was when a full-page advertise- ment appeared in the newspapers an- nouncing the dates for the run at the Diamond. Up to that time the largest "ads" ever used in local papers had been 200 lines at a single insertion. When a theatre with about one-third the local maximum -seating capacity, over-shad- owed this, the managers of the Campbell and Feeley accepted the challenge. Both booked special attractions for the same dates announced for "Daddy Long Legs" at the Diamond, the Campbell going into Heenan's own camp by booking "The Unpardonable Sin," which is handled by him in this territory, while Dorothy Phillips, in "Heart of Humanity," was the selection of the Feeley management. Full-page and quarter-page advertise- ments were used freely by all three of the theatres, and there was not an edition for a week prior to the runs that carried less than a quarter-page on each of the attractions. All are clever advertising writers and the Campbell and Feeley copy made the most of the fact that Hee- nan had raised the regular prices of the Diamond to 30 cents for the evening per- formances and 17 cents for matinees, both including war tax, by emphasizing that both the large theatres would main- tain regular prices. Big Ad. Campaign Heenan got an advantage by obtaining exclusively the card space on the front of all the street cars in town for "Daddy Long Legs." Another innovation started by him, this one made necessary by the location of the Diamond, was the establishment of a motor bus line from the business section direct to the door of the theatre during the run of the Pick- ford production. In addition to being an attraction to patrons it also proved to be the source of much free advertising. Heenan then went after the phono- graph and music stores for window dis- plays on the records and sheet music copies of "Daddy Long Legs" and "Dear Old Daddy Long Legs" He obtained the co-operation of the dealers, but the Campbell coppered this bet by getting "The Unpardonable Sin" music and records featured. They also ran a dead heat on stationery stores in the matter of obtaining displays on the books of each picture, but Heenan was able to get dry goods stores and grocery markets interested as well as the department stores. One store went so far as to advertise ginghams as fresh as worn by Mary Pickford in "Daddy Long Legs." Prunes and cider became common in store windows, as displays "hooked up" to the First National pic- ture. The biggest thing, however, that Hee- nan put through was the arrangement of the first Sunday exhibition of a motion picture ever given in Hazelton. He had to overcome the fears of the Mayor that the church element would object, but he did so, and got the required consent. In addition to inviting all the city of- ficials and other dignitaries Heenan included every school teacher in the city on the invitation list. The invitations were engraved. The Sunday perform- ance was given to an audience that taxed the capacity of the Diamond. All the city fathers were there, as well as all the school teachers, and a chance remark by one of the latter gave Heenan the idea of a matinee every day of the run at 4:15 with a special price of ten cents for school children. Increases Theatre Interest Every theatre in the city felt the in- creased interest in motion pictures which had been aroused by the extensive war- fare advertising of all three of the thea- tres. On the day the Pickford picture started at the Diamond, S. R. O. signs became as common in the three lobbies as lithographs had been before. At the (Continued on page 66) BETTY AXDERSOX Lyric soprano, who scored a hit during' a recent appearance at the Rivoli Theatre, (few York, and has lieen booked at many of the country's leading theatres. Export Business Is Still at Low Ebb; Inprovement Slight NEW YORK— The film export business still continues at a low ebb. While the exchange rate is slightly improved, it has not improved enough to warrant the trans- mission of payment on films purchased prior to the time that the rate of exchange reached its record low mark. South Amer- ican countries are the most fertile field for export today, as the money market holds steady with the high rate and a slightly up- ward trend. On November 29, the range of exchange was quoted on sterling — high, 42.44 ; Buenos Aires, checks, 43.125 ; cable, 43.25 ; Rio, high, 32.44; checks, 29.625; cable 29.75. European quotations are as follows : Stockholm, checks, 22.60; cable, 22.75; Christiania, checks, 21.60; cables, 21.80; Copenhagen, checks, 20.25 ; cables, 20.40. Two Honors for Wolfberg Harris P. Wolfberg, manager of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation's Cincinnati exchange, was elected presi- dent of the Film Board of Trade of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce at its last meeting. It is a coincidence that on the same day Mr. Wolfberg had an- other honor thrust upon him, being elected to membership in the Cincinnati Rotary Club. Mrs. Helen Bryson Dies Mrs. Helen Bryson, mother of James V. Bryson, executive manager of the Minneapolis office of Universal Film Exchanges, Inc., died Friday, November 21, 1919, age 70 years. Interment was made in Lakewood cemetery. The de- ceased was formerly of Warrensburg, Mo., and came to Minneapolis in the spring of the present year. 53 EXHIBITORS HERALD CONSTANCE BINNEY, Realart star, was chosen by Albert T. Reid, trie | artist in charge of the picture section of the Republican National Commit- jj tee, to pose the figure of Columbia for his painting symbolizing America s jj ! farewell to the Prince of Wales at the conclusion of his visit to the United j 1 States. The picture will be circulated by the committee in national publications | B with an aggregate circulation of approximately two million readers. IllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllU \ • v"Good bye, Prince Chap,— -I hope we shall always be good friends." EXHIBITORS HERALD JmillllMIIIHIM^ SiMUIMg J STANTON IS REAL MONEY SAVER I Fox Director Reduces Cost of Productions By Ingenious Ways — Has Made Every Picture Financial Success by Avoiding All Waste aui'iii: 'in in ;iMa;t?!i:iiiii!iii:itfiTiiitj;ii- -!ti : n jiiiFuiini ituiiui u iiiiiiiiiiiiiu iiiitiiiiiiiu i iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitxiiiiiiiiin Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniitiiiiiuiii Jiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i iiiiuii i j •iiiiiiiiiitiiixiiiiiijiut:! i nui n < i ^ The popular demand for "Check- ers," which flies the William Fox banner, has brought into renewed prominence the name of the direc- tor of the production — Richard Stan- ton. Also the fact that Stanton has to his credit the direction of a long and unbroken series of successful pictures produced by Fox. Accord- ingly, in the motion picture world, people are asking: "What is Stan- ton's gilt-edged secret? Other di- rectors come and go with startling suddenness. Is Stanton going on for- ever?" Richard Stanton is back in New York, after a mysterious disappearance of nearly three months, accompanied by vague rumors of a new Fox thriller in the making. He was found in his apart- ment with his sleeves rolled up, exer- cising his blue pencil magic on a pon- derous type-written "continuity." He looked up with a genial smile on his bronzed Irish face— but his words had a razor-edge on them. "In two minutes I'm off to the studio. What's the idea?" The question — as above — was re- peated to him. Stanton laughed, and his eyes twinkled. He said: "The boss doesn't keep you in your job on account of your beauty, or the funny stories you tell, or because he approves your taste in neckties. He keeps a ledger, the boss does. If you keep your job, the results of your labors have got to appear on the credit side rather frequently — that's all." Stanton Tells His Secret "Most of the big pictures you directed are supposed to have cost a lot of money," was suggested. "Yet it is said that you have developed interesting methods of keeping under the original estimates." Stanton had rolled down his sleeves and was putting on his coat. "If you save twenty or fifty or a hundred thou- sand dollars on production," he said, "it may turn out that failure to have done so might have put you on the wrong side of the ledger. As to methods, they're as simple as a, b, c. For in- stance, preparedness — so that when you have your actors and a big bunch of extra people on location, and are under considerable expense for transportation to and from, you can keep them work- ing, instead of sitting around while you make up your mind. Keep them work- ing all day, and maybe all night." Here Director Stanton made his get- away. But it was not difficult to find an associate of several years standing who was able to furnish illustrations of the main points in question. Reducing Cost of Box Cars While "Checkers" was being pro- duced, Director Stanton saw the need of absolute realism for the train wreck scene. This meant total destruction of one freight car and much damage to other railway property, including a drawbridge. He diplomatically ap- proached a high financial executive of Fox Film Corporation on the subject. and was greatly pleased at being met more than half way. "Go right ahead, Dick," said this official. "I've had the General Manager of the road on the wire. It will cost six thousand dollars, but " "Then you'll owe me one thousand two hundred," laughed Stanton. For he had already personally visited the freight yards, and, with his capacity for mixing with the actual workers em- ployed by large concerns, had discov- ered a "hoodoo" freight car at a price which enabled him to get his big set in "Checkers" for a total of four thousand eight hundred dollars. Beating Nature in Florida At Miami, Florida, an Egyptian street and a huge temple were ready for the filming of important scenes in "The Jungle Trail." For a whole week there had been a steady downpour of rain. The natives declared there would be no "let-up" for another week. The Stanton company and a mob of extra people were piling up expense at the rate of $1,800 per day. But in spite of native weather predictions, Stanton had his people made up and on location early every morning. At length came a day when, at 4 p. no., the rain ceased and the sun broke (Continued on page 66) Fay Films Company To Star Harry Gane In Comedy Series The Fay Films Company has filed arti- cles at Madison, Wis., for the incorpora- tion of itself for the purpose of producing pictures. The incorporators are Rupert F. Fry, George W. Blackburn and H. E. Moore, well known Milwaukee and Chi- cago business men. Mr. Fry, the principal organizer, is president and founder of the Old Line Life Insurance Company. Rupert F. Fry is president of the con- cern, and has engaged Frank S. Mattison as general manager. The policy of the com- pany for the first year will be the produc- ing of a series of twenty-six one-reel come- dies featuring a new find in the picture field, in the person of Harry Gane. Harry Gane is the name the comedian adopts when entering the employ of the new company, and which he will play under hereafter. He is a vaudeville performer, and is said to be one of the funniest "mug- gers" on the stage. Productions are being made for the pres- ent in Chicago, but Mr. Fry plans on hav- ing his company permanently located in Jacksonville, Fla. Distribution plans will be announced later. To Distribute Bos Film Anna Bos, star of "Carmen of the Xorth," a five-reel special production the United States and Canadian rights of which were purchased recently by the Brit- ish-American Pictures Finance Corp., of which \;ancibelle W. Grant is president, will be seen for the first time on the screen of any theatre in America when this picture is distributed through Hallmark Pictures. TYPES IN THE CREW IN "THE SEA WOLF' Members of the cast in the elaborate production recently made by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation enjoying a song-fest. Noah Beery plays the title roll and Mabel Julienne Scott — the fair maiden who is seen singing with the rest— has the feminine lead. It was directed by George H. Melford. 55 EXHIBITORS HERALD Mrs. Drew Commences On New Productions Noted Comedy Player Starts Pictures to Be Issued By Pathe Exchange A studio was secured, a staff and large corps of carpenters, electricians and workmen engaged, and a complete set built last week before anyone along the rialto knew that Mrs. Sidney Drew had again started to work on her new pro- ductions. "You see, I didn't want to say any- thing about it until it was all over. Ac- tual accomplishment is so much more desirable than mere plans," said Mrs. Drew. "But now that the cat is out of the bag, I suppose I must tell you some- thing about my plans. Though I have been out of pictures for a few months, I have no intention of remaining off the screen permanently. My new series will be based upon Julian Street's 'After Thirty,' which I recently secured through my play broker, Julia Tutwiler. The story is the sort of thing Mr. Drew and I did before his death, the characters be- ing similar in many respects to Polly and Henry." John Cumberland, who is known for his work in such stage plays as "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath," "Fair and Warmer," "Up in Mable's Room" and "The Girl in the Limousine," played the feature role in Hobart Henley's "The Gay Old Dog," another of Mrs. Sidney Drew's adapta- tions, so successfully that she chose him as the man to play Shelley in the new series. Though Mrs. Drew will not appear in the series, she will soon return to the screen to play dramatic roles. A story written especially for her is now in In the Limelight HIUTON N. BIISCH President of the Republic Distributing Corporation, which has taken over World's exchanges. progress and as soon as the feature is ready she will begin work. In accord- ance with her contract with the Pathe Exchange, Inc., the new series of pic- tures based upon "After Thirty" will be distributed through that exchange. New Specials Ready For Hallmark Issue Director Dallas M. Fitzgerald and John Glavey, scenario writers of Hallmark Pictures Corporation, are completing the cutting, titling and editing of Director Fitzgerald's first production for the Fa- mous Directors' Series, distributed by Hallmark. The title of this production has not yet been announced. Anna Lehr, Marie Shotwell, and Edmund Breese have the principal roles. "High Speed," another Hallmark pro- duction to be released on the Famous Directors' Series, is now in the cutting room. Charles Miller, the director, ex- pects to have it ready for a private showing within the next two weeks. Ed- ward Earle and Gladys Hulette have the principal roles. "High Speed" is a screen version of Clinton H. Stagg's racing story of the same title. "The Veiled Marriage," Keanan Buel's first production for the Famous Direc- tors' Series, has been titled and edited and is announced for release in this series in January. Anna Lehr and Ralph Kellard have the principal roles. The story was written by J. L. Burke and scenarioized by John Klavey. With the addition of these three new features, eight pictures will have been released on the Famous Directors' Se- ries, the Series totaling twenty-six fea- ture productions. Leslie in Serious Role One of Vitagraph's first productions of the new year will be a Gladys Leslie feature, "The Midnight Bride," an adap- tation of Charles Stokes Wayne's maga- zine story, "The Marriage of Little Jeanne Sterling." It makes the fourth serious play in which Miss Leslie has appeared since Albert E. Smith, Presi- dent of Vitagraph, decided that she was too fine an actress to continue indefi- nitely in the lighter roles. Newspaper Man Joins F. P-L. Increased production activity has brought about an expansion of the Fa- mous Players-Lasky publicity depart- ment on the Pacific coast with the addi- tion of Kyle D. Palmer, a well known newspaper man of Los Angeles. Mr. Palmer has been active in newspaper work in Los Angeles for the last nine years, in both editorial and reportorial capacities. Rex Ingram Joins Metro Rex Ingram, director, writer and actor, has been engaged by Maxwell Karger, Screen Classics, Inc., director general at the Metro studios in Holly- wood to direct Alice Lake in "Shore Acres," a Screen Classics, Inc., all-star production of the famous stage drama by James A. Heme. gpiiumiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiii iiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM.iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniin^ j About "Pollyanna" I I TN answer to many inquiries that | I have been received from exhib- | | itors about the meagre amount | | of information that has been dis- 1 | closed relative to Mary Pickford's 1 | forthcoming publication, "Polly- | | anna," it is stated that under a I | contract existing with the First 1 | National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc., I | Miss Pickford must refrain from | | advertising her new production for j | a period of ninety days following j | the publication of the last "First | | National" picture. | The last picture of the series of I | three which Miss Pickford made j | for "First National," "Heart o' the | | Hills," has just been issued. The | | situation now is that official an- | 1 nouncements referring to "Polly- I | anna" may be expected within the | | next ninety days. | Information from Los Angeles | | discloses that the picture is sub- 1 | stantially completed. Prior to Miss | | Pickford's recent trip East, work | | had been progressing rapidly and | | during her absence scenes in I | which she does not appear and | | other supplementary work were | j carried forward. It is expected 1 I that the entire picture will be com- 1 1 pleted within a few days. | Although no definite advice is | 1 available, it is assumed that the | | picture will not be issued until the j I expiration of the ninety-day period. | ^^iiiiiiiiiiiititiiiiJiiiifiJiiiiiJiiiJitiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiifiJiiiiitiUJiiitiiiifiiiiittuiiiiiiiiiiiittiiiiifiiiitiiiiiJiiiittl^S Mollie King Back; To Start New Drama After a ten days' sojourn on their Ken- tucky estate, which is situated near Lex- ington, Mollie King, American Cinema star, and her husband, have just returned to New York, where she has decided to make her home permanently. Editing and titling on "Women Men Forget," Mollie King's recently completed production, are now almost completed, and the star will therefore shortly commence actual filming on her third picture for American Cinema Corporation. It is an adaptation of the popular novel by Winifred May Scott, "The Serpent," and has been adapted for the screen by Elaine Stern. The title will probably be changed before its appearance on the screen, but the picture is another of the dramatic stories of metropolitan life with which Miss King has become identified. Engaged for Reed Feature Miss Adeline Leitzbach has been en- gaged to do the continuity for the next Florence Reed feature to be released by United Picture Theatres of America. Miss Leitzbach was for some time a member of the Fox scenario staff and is the author of a number of successful screen stories and more recently has been working with Charles K. Harris on his scenarios. New Brockwell Feature Gladys Brockwell is busy making the new Fox production, "Flames of the Flesh." 56 EXHIBITORS HERALD THE DOUGHBOYS WILL APPRECIATE THIS Elsie Janis, with whom the entire A. E. F. was in love, has a policeman fill the radiator of her car, and makes golf enthusiasts forget all about their game, in "The Imp," her new Selznick production Robertson-Cole Starting Three Contests to Stimulate Sales Automobiles Will Be Awarded to Branch Manager And Salesman — Fans Offered $500 Prizes In Love Letter Writing Competition Contests for two automobiles and the starting of a competitive letter writing campaign for prizes totaling $500 are an- nounced by the Robertson-Cole Company's plan to promote the features about to be published. One of these machines will be given to the champion Robertson-Cole branch manager on the new Martin John- son Pictures. The salesmen will have an opportunity to prove their worth in another contest for an auto. This prize will be given to the sales- man who secures the greatest number of contracts for Robertson-Cole's "Adventure Scenics" up to midnight of December 31. These contests start immediately. Fan Contest Is Started The third competitive plan is for the fan and will be nation wide. In the Gasnier production, "The Beloved Cheater," featur- ing Lew Cody, Robertson-Cole believe they have one of the most unusual films ever produced and to further exploit it are con- ducting this love making letter campaign which will be waged in its favor. The best love letter written to Lew Cody, care Robertson-Cole, 1600 Broadway, New York City, will earn $150 in cash for the author. The second best missive will gain $100, while the third prize is a cash ' bonus of $75. The fourth prize will be $50 | and the next best five love letter writers will be given $25 each. This plan is being j announced to fans through national adver- tising mediums. Robertson-Cole, in presenting Martin 1 Johnson's stories of the South Seas, claims j a new triumph for scenic beauty in pho- tography and pictures that grip and at the same time educate. A publicity and adver- tising campaign in the trade papers is ac- companied by the simultaneous publication I of the story on Johnson's trip in over 300 daily newspapers in the United States. Branch Managers Compete In addition to the exploitation schemes ' adopted by Robertson-Cole for the Johnson series, it was decided to wage a prize con- test for the branch managers. Officials of the Robertson-Cole Company have been at work several weeks planning for the two business office contests. To make it abso- lutely fair for the smallest as well as the largest exchange, territory has been mapped out on a percentage basis. The business management of Robertson- Cole first planned the contest for branch managers only, but upon second consider- tion it was decided to ascertain just who was the best salesman employed at the vari- ous exchanges, and for this reason it was decided to allow them to work on "Adven- ture Scenics" for prizes, while the manag- ers compete for the Johnson series and an automobile. Auto Offered Salesmen In offering "Adventure Scenics" Robert- son-Cole display the opposite side of life from that which is shown in the stories of the great South Seas. When Jesse G. Sill of the Adventure Scenics Corporation re- turned from the forbidden river, he brought with him many thousand feet of film pictur- ing some of the wildest yet grandest scen- ery in America. To further promote this series, Robert- son-Cole decided to allow the salesmen to compete among themselves for the auto prize. This contest will terminate on the night of December 31. Branch managers will not be allowed to compete for the salesman prize. Announcement of the winner will be made about January 15. "The Beloved Cheater" will be the best exploited and best advertised special of Robertson-Cole Company. Conferences were held and it was the unanimous opin- ion of the board that a love letter cam- paign would be the most effective. Any girl in the United States is permit- ted to enter the contest. The only stipula- tion the Robertson-Cole Company make is that the letter be of the sincere' type — and from a girl to her sweetheart. Judges for this big event will be announced later. To Start Hank Mann In Two Reel Series The Arrow Film Corporation have an- nounced a new series of two reel Hank Mann comedies which will be published about January 1. The Hank Mann single reel comedies, which are now being shown throughout the country have been so suc- cessful that the producer, Morris Schlank, has entered into a contract with Arrow to produce twenty-six two-reel comedies, in which Hank will appear, supported by the same cast that has made the single reel comedy so popular. Hank Mann has been referred" to by many as being the funniest in pictures since Chaplin first made his hit. The first series of ten single reel comedies played over the entire Loew, Fox, Keith and other circuits. Build at Allentown, Pa. ALLENTOWN, PA.— Contracts have been let for the construction of a large motion picture theatre at Sixth and Gor- don streets by Joseph and Thomas F. Herrity. It will be completed April 1. ^^[irr jiiiiiiruiiiiiM uiiiiiiii iiiit>iitrri]iiiiiMiiii[iiiiinii[iLMiiiiiii[i]iiiii[[iiiiiiiEiifiiiiiiE[[iiiiiiiiiTiiiiiiitri is | France Throws Out Police Censorship | France has made a long experi- | 1 ment in the matter of police con- | | sorship in motion pictures and has j | decided to abandon the whole j 2 plan. | Effective January 1 the old | 1 order of police censorship will | 1 pass out and in its place will be § 1 appointed an examining board. | | According to information just | I received the new order provides | | for a board which will be headed I | by Senator Maurice Faure. The | | membership will include several I 1 prominent theatrical and literary | 1 authorities. Also the Pathe and g | the Gaumont companies, which 1 | are leaders in the producing field j§ | in France, will have a membership = § on the board. 3 ^niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiifUiiiiitiuiiiiiiTtTiiiiiittntiiiiiTMiniiiiiiimtmtiiTminitfitiiHiiHii^^ 57 EXHIBITORS HERALD Ruben and Finkelstein Secures "The Westerners" for Theatres Minneapolis and St. Paul Showings Arranged for Benjamin B. Hampton Production— Feature Already Booked in 2,000 Theatres Committee From N. Y. Is Here for Study of Film Building Project A committee of the National Associa- tion of the Motion Picture Industry, headed by Al Lichtman. was expected to arrive in Chicago on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for the pur- pose of making a first-hand investigation of the film exchange building situation. The original project launched by Charles C. Pyle has been delayed due to certain requirements called for by the builders which have not met with the approval of the prospective tenents. It is expected that following the visit of the committee some definite announce- ment will be made which will clear up the situation and make plain what is to be done toward obtaining a structure for the ex- changes which will meet with the approval of the City Council. Idaho Falls, Idaho, Has $150,000 House IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO.— This city now has one of the finest theatres in the country. It was erected at a cost of $150,000," seats 1,400 people, and is up- to-the-minute in every particular. The theatre is known as the Colonial and was erected by the Colonial Invest- ment Company, consisting of several prominent local business men. C. H. Lewis, manager, has had twenty-five years' experience in the show business. The theatre is built to accommodate road shows and vaudeville as well as motion pictures. Twelve Film Theatres Are Operating in Ranger AUSTIN, TEX.— The Lone Star theatre has opened here in its new building just across Austin street from the McClesky Hotel. This gives Ranger twelve motion picture theatres. New Loew Theatre CINCINNATI, O.— Following a con- ference at the Sinton Hotel, in which N'athan J. Ascher and Aaron Jones, both of Chicago, participated, Marcus Loew issued a statement to the effect that he will build a new theatre in Cincinnati ui the near future. He spoke, also, of plans involving the purchase of 24 thea- tres in the West and Middle West. Church Becomes Theatre PITTSBURGH, PA.— The trustees of the Monongahela United Presbyterian church have sold to Richard S. Jones, the property, (i.ixlOl feet, with a brick- church thereon at Warrington and Beltzhoover avenues for $24,500. The buyer will remodel the church into a a motion picture theatre. Two Theatres Sold BIXOLI, LA.— The Crown theatre and Big Hipodrome, Bixoli's leading motion picture theatres, have been sold to Victor Howard of New Orleans, by Charles B. and J. R. King, who estab- lished the theatres. The last big cities of the northern border of the middle west that were open to play the first Benjamin B. Hampton production, "The Westerners," by Stewart Edward White, were closed this week when Ruben and Finkelstein signed first run contracts for the im- mediate presentation of this big Great Authors' story in their largest theatres in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Pressed for booking time despite the fact that they own more than a score of theatres in the Twin Cities, Ruben and Finkel- stein had time to observe the success of "The Westerners" in the principal key cities of North and South Dakota and in the Minnesota and Wisconsin cities outside the radius of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Booked in 2,000 Theatres Working with more prints than have ever before been used on any produc- tion published through the Hodkinson organization, "The Westerners" has thus far been booked by more than 2,000 theatres and to date practically every key city in America has signed up for first runs. Among the important first run con- tracts signed for "The Westerners" for quick playing dates during the past week are: The Waldorf theatre, Boston for a two weeks or longer engagement; the Majestic. Max Stern's big house in Columbus, Ohio; the Grecian, El Paso, Tex.; the Lafayette, New Orleans and the Beatty houses in San Jose and Fresno, Calif. Big Business at Washington "The Westerners" opened a week's engagement to turn-away business at the Criterion theatre, Washington, D. C, and Manager William Notes had the same to report of his five performances on Sunday, despite the stiffest kind of opposition at the other first run houses in the Capitol. "The Westerners" proved the big at- traction in Brooklyn, N. Y. last week, where five of the biggest second-run houses presented the Benjamin B. Hampton production with splendid re- sults, the Gotham, the Century, the T. & F., the Cortelyou and the New At- lantic profiting immensely from the prestige "The Westerners" won at its tremendously successful first-run-pre- sentation at the New Mark Strand a month ago. "The Hoodlum" Smashes Cleveland House Record CLEVELAND. OHIO— E. H. Gerstle. manager of Loew's Valentine theatre, announces that a new house record for both attendance and receipts has been established by the lecent run of the First National production of Mary Pickford iii "The Hoodlum." The previous record for the Valentine was established over a year ago by Chat lie Chaplin in "Shoulder Arms." Because of the fact that the signing of the armistice occurred during the run of "Shjulder Arms" Mr. Gerstle had expected this record to stand for all times on account of the special per- formances which he ran because of the Peace Day celebration. THE END OF A PERFECT RUN The seventh day of the record breaking seven-day run of Zane Grey's "Desert Gold," a W. W. Hodkinson offering, at the America theatre, Denver, Colo. 58 EXHIBITORS HERALD "Soldiers of Fortune" Plays to Record Attendance at Capitol Realart Feature Draws 22,000 People on Opening Day and Keeps Up Remarkable Showing Through- out Week in New York Theatres Twenty-two thousand people were present on the opening day of "Soldiers of Fortune," an Allan Dwan production, at the colossal Capitol theatre. New York, where Realart gave the photoplay its first metropolitan presentation. Four times on Sunday, November 23, the magnificent new palace, the largest theatre in the world, was emptied of its mass of humanity and filled just as rap- idly again for each showing of the Rich- ard Harding Davis story. Stay for Second Performance Broadway habitues who make it a rule never to stay for the second view of a film, paid this Realart special feature a distinct tribute on the opening night, ac- cording to Capitol officials, by remaining in their seats for a second showing of the picture, although by so doing they held up the crowds who were waiting their turn in the marble-paved rotunda. Ben H. Atwell, publicity director for the theatre, summed up the general satis- faction with this photoplay in one sig- nificant word: "Great." According to the reports from the Capitol, "Soldier of Fortune" continued to pack the big house during the entire run. The Thanksgiving Day house was sold out for all performances long in ad- vance and business for the day was re- ported by Mr. Atwell as "tremendous." The box-office victory of this picture continued, according to Mr. Atwell, in spite of the first confining weather of the late fall season, and in spite of a very unusual combination of opposition at- tractions at other Broadway picture houses. The drawing power of this pic- turization of a world famous story proved to be strong enough to offset all adverse conditions, thus vindicating the confidence of its Realart sponsors that "Soldiers of Fortune" would blaze a name for itself on the Great White Way. Exploitation Is Dignified In accordance with the customary pol- icy of the Capitol theatre, Mr. Atwell carried this photoplay through on an ex- ploitation plan, dignified, quiet and sub- tle enough to penetrate the news col- umns of the dailies, a difficult feat in New York City. This included memorial exercises in honor of the memory of Richard Harding Davis, preceded by a parade of 5,000 Boy Scouts. The digni- fied linking of Richard Harding Davis' J friends and admirers, many of them well known men and women, with the pic- tured version of his classic American story, is believed to have been a large ! factor in creating a desire to see the film on the part of thousands who had I read the book. The metropolitan press, so often shy of motion picture exploitation, took a gratifying interest in the Davis memorial, the publicity finding a place in newspa- pers of every class. The plan was so successful that Realart Pictures Corpora- tion service men are using the Capitol exploitation, as devised by Mr. Atwell, in special suggestions to be submitted to showmen throughout the country for local presentation. The expression of nationally famous men, such as General Leonard Wood, Henry Wise Wood and others on the significance to the nation of the filming of this interesting story of Americanism, will be printed for distri- bution. Opinions Are Assets These opinions of well known men are expected to have equal persuasive value to Americans in every part of the land. The expressions of good-will for "Sol- diers of Fortune" constitute, in the opin- ion of Realart officials, a powerful box- office argument for use by exhibitors. In the same way it is pointed out that the Capitol tie-up with the Boy Scouts in a parade may be duplicated anywhere. There also have been tie-ups of "Soldiers of Fortune" with charity drives, with a Red Cross campaign, with women's club work and other local activities. One of the points emphasized in con- nection with "Soldiers of Fortune" is that this Realart special feature received unanimously favorable verdicts from the New York newspaper reviewers. It is said that not one adverse criticism has yet been printed and most of the reviews have been highly commendatory. Officials Well Pleased Realart officials expressed gratification at the New York reception of their pic- ture. The advance notices which "Sol- diers of Fortune" received, and the gen- eral interest which was evinced in this much heralded picturization of Richard Harding Davis' most famous novel led the public, as well as the motion picture industry to expect a big product. The verdict of the press and the Capitol theatre box office were enough to assure Realart sponsors that the picture had come up to all the large expectations of it. "Other Men's Shoes" Is Received by Pathe Edgar Lewis has completed cutting his latest picture, "Other Men's Shoes," from twelve to seven reels and has turned the negative over to Pathe for publication. The story is by the war correspondent. Andrew Soutar of London, and is said to be one of the finest achievements of the producer-director's career. Final 1919 Williams Film "When a Man Loves" will be Earle Wil- liams' final picture of the year, its release coming next month before the Christmas holidays, and "The Fortune Hunter" will be his first Vitagraph feature of the new year. "Detective Jim" for Morey "Detective Jim," an original story by Frederic Van Rensselaer Dey, has been selected as the next feature for Harry T. Morey. Paid $50 for Film; Thought He Bought It j J. Himmelein, a salesman for the First National Exchange ;n Cleve- | land, recently booked "The Hood- lum," Mary Pickford's second pic- f = ture, through the Circuit to an 1 exhibitor in a small town for $50. "It was obvious," explains Him- | 1 melein, "that the exhibitor had I never paid more than $10 for any | production. I know he could well f I afford the price, on the strength of { | the business he was doing. "The play date arrived, and the f I print was shipped from the ex- 1 change. Four days later we wired 1 1 him inquiring why it had not been 1 returned. He telegraphed in reply I 1 that he had the print in his vault. "A personal trip to the town to l f recover the print brought the ex- 1 I planation from him that he thought 1 when he paid $50 for the picture | that he had bought the print out- | 1 right and that it had become his | 1 private property." State Right Buyers Set Boundary Lines The managers of the Independent Film Exchanges in St. Louis and adja- cent territory, at a recent get-together meeting and luncheon, took steps which they believe will result in more har- monious working between the com- panies engaged in the locality and ef- fect a clearer understanding of the boundary limits included in the rights purchased from independent producers. It is expected that a definite rule governing the matter of territorial rights, which has been tentatively de- cided upon, will promote the prosperity of all members of the conference and result in the bringing of more inde- pendent distributors to St. Louis. Meet- ings have been arranged for to be held from time to time to confer upon mat- ters which require adjustment. Griffith Directs O. Henrys Edward Hilaire Griffith has joined the staff of Vitagraph directors and will direct the next O. Henry story, "A Philistine in Bohemia." Mr. Griffith, who was formerly a newspaper man and magazine writer, is the author of several screen successes and stage plays. He has made adaptations of the works of William J. Locke, Peter B. Kyne and Rex Beach and many others. Daly's Is Picture House Daly's Theatre, New York, for years the home of the Augustin Daly stock company and a nlayhouse famous on two continents in the long ago, has been reopened after three years of inactivity. It is now a motion picture theatre and the opening attraction was "Checkers," William Fox's big special of turf life. Mix on Vacation Tom Mix, having completed "China- town," his latest Fox production, is rest- ing for a few weeks. 50 EXHIBITORS HERALD Picture Theft Body Reports Progress in Stamping Out Evil At a recent meeting of the Film Theft Committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry the sit- uation in regard to the present extent of operations by film thieves was consid- ered, with particular reference to the effect of the campaign the committee has been conducting against this particular form of lawlessness. From figures presented by H. Minot Pitman, chairman of the committee, the conclusion was drawn that the commit- tee's work, if judged by the value of re- covered film only, would more than justify its existence. With the series of arrests and convictions secured, it was felt that these evidences of its determin- ation to stamp out the business of thiev- ery of photoplays on the reel should go far toward ending the evil, at least as an organized menace. At the same meeting William Wright of Vitagraph, Inc., was unanimously elected vice-chairman of the committee to act in the event of Mr. Pitman's ab- sence. Those present, in addition to Mr. Pitman and Mr. Wright, were as follows: Mr. Franconi of Pathe Ex- change, Inc.; Harry Rice of Universal Film Mfg. Co.; Bert Adler of Realart Pictures Corporation and Frederick H. Elliott, secretary. $200,000 Theatre Will Be Built at E. St. Louis EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL.— The Erco Amusement Company, of which Joe Erber is president and Phil Cohn vice president, has purchased the southwest corner of State street and Collinsville avenue, and will erect a new theatre costing $200,000. The company now op- erates Erber's theatre here as well as theatres in Belleville, Collinsville, and several other Illinois towns. Jake Wells Negotiating For Site in Knoxville KNOXVILLE, TENN.— Jake Wells is said to be negotiating with a Knox- ville business man with the object in view of erecting a large theatre in the heart of the business section of Knox- ville. A ten day option is said to have been drawn up providing for a 99-year lease at a monthly rental of $1,000. Reopens Ottawa Theatre OTTAWA, ILL.— The Star theatre, which was closed at the time its owner, E. P. Milburn, opened the Ruby Palace theatre, has been reopened by Clarence Hartford, who recently purchased both theatres. Hartford believes both theatres will pay. Neillsville House Sold W. D. Martin, for the past two years manager of the Badger theatre at Neills- ville Wis., has sold his playhouse to P. E. Smith of Prairie du Chien, Wis. Mr. Martin is enjoying a vacation in Okla- homa and will then seek a new location. Unity Photoplays Secures Rights to Chaplin Comedies Frank Zambreno, president of the Unity Photoplays, Chicago, has secured rights to twenty-two single reel reissues of Chaplin comedies and is preparing to exploit them on a big scale. The cop- ies are new, and have been given an added punch by the use of new titles. They will be offered to exhibitors early in December. Another short subject which will be distributed in the Chicago territory by Unify is the Blazed Trail Productions, a new series of two reel pictures, made in the Northwoods and dealing with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. John Lowell, Dakota Lawrence and George Crossman are featured in this series, which was directed by Joseph Barry and produced by L. Case Russell. Each story is complete, but the entire series is held together because of the character of the stories. South Orange Village May Have New Theatre NEWARK, N. J.— South Orange vil- lage will probably have a commercial motion picture theatre before January 1. William R. Putnam, representing the Putnam-Jacobs Theatres Company, has applied to the village trustees for a li- cense to operate a theatre in the build- ing, now a bank, at 15 South Orange avenue. A hearing on the proposition will be held December 15. At the present time, South Orange's only place of amusement is the motion picture shows conducted by the Home and School association. Projector Company to Locate in Niles, Mich. NILES, MICH.— The National Projec- tor and Film Corporation, which recently purchased the plant of the Niles Invisible Door Check Company, is employing twelve people at the present time and will employ 50 to 75 within four months. It is said that the company's output for the next eighteen months has been sold. Mayor Bonine and Judge White are in- terested with Albert H. Blair, of Chicago, president; C. W. Pieters, of Chicago, vice- president; Otto A. Pfleger, of Niles, treas- urer, and George Frantzen, of Chicago, secretary. Name Maurice Wolff (By Wire to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2.— Maurice Wolff, manager of the Los Angeles branch of the Goldwyn Distributing Corporation, has been elected president of the Los An- geles Film Board of Trade. Return to New York George Walsh, Dell Henderson and the supporting company who have been taking scenes on a schooner in the har- bor of Tampa, Florida for "Shark Rawley," have returned to New York and are making the interiors of this production at the Fox eastern studio. Constance Talmadge Completes Her Third For First National Constance Talmadge's next First Na- tional, to follow a "Virtuous Vamp," is "At the Barn" from the English play of the same name by Anthony Wharton. John Emerson and Anita Loos wrote the adaptation. Sidney A. Franklin di- rected this picture, and Oliver Marsh acted as photographer. Constance Talmadge has the only fem- inine part of any prominence, and has practically four leading men — Conway Tearle, Reginald Mason, George Faw- cett and Templer Saxe. Smaller roles are played by William Fredericks, Tom Cameron, Florence Hope, Gertrude Doyle and Mrs. Wensley Thompson. The story concerns Lillums Blair, a New York chorus girl, her ambitions and her adventures. In the end she finds that she would rather have a mere stupid man than a brilliant career. There are many delightful comedy situations which occur at the little barn converted into a studio, where Lillums, after run- ning away from one lover, seeks a place to hide, and falls, figuratively speaking, into the arms of three other lovers. Deitrich-Beck Official Moves Executive Office Theodore C. Deitrich, president of Deitrich-Beck, Inc., and of De Luxe Pictures, Inc., announces the removal of his offices on December 1st from 516 Fifth avenue, to 135 West 44th street, New York. Mr. Deitrich's offices will be on the second floor in association with those of Arthur F. Beck, who is treasurer of Deitrich-Beck, Inc. Vandenbergh Changes Route As a result of a chance meeting with Baron Franchetti and Lamberto Tonkrel, Italian army officers and hunters of big- game, the route of the Vandenbergh- Paramount expedition to British East Africa and Uganda will be materially changed in order that the party may avail itself of the opportunity to get pic- tures of a number of species of rare animals. The information was conveyed in a letter just received from Dr. Leon- ard J. Vandenbergh to the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. New Pollard Comedy "How Dry I Am" is the timely title of the new Rolin Comedy, featuring the "pint sized" comedian, "Snub" Pollard, which will be published through Pathe December 7. Pollard is supported by Eddie Boland, Mildred Davis, "Sunshine Sammy," the little colored actor, and a medicine show beauty chorus. De Vinna Joins Fox Clyde DeVinna, cameraman who has been with Bessie Barriscale for the past nine months, has been signed by Fox Film Corporation to turn the orank on "The Lincoln Highwayman," in which William Russell is the star. The picture is being made on the Lincoln Highway. Paul Dickey wrote the stcry. 60 EXHIBITORS HERALD "The Great Divide" Stage Success Slated for Screen by Vitagraph Vitagraph has about completed prep- arations for the production of its spe- cial screen version of "The Great Di- vide," one of the most successful stage productions of more than a decade ago. This strong play by William Vaughn Moody served as a starring vehicle for Margaret Anglin and Henry Miller and it is possible that Vitagraph will assign two of its leading stars to the two lead- ing roles. The play was first presented by Mr. Miller, with Miss Anglin as co-star, at the old Princess Theatre in 1906, and it ran for two seasons — an unusual re- cord for those days. Later it was shown in every large city in this and other countries. Adaptable to Screen Although it is thirteen years since it was first produced the story of "The Great Divide" is just as strong and virile today as it was when it was writ- ten. It has the advantage over most stage productions of a few years ago in that it lends itself to adaptation to the screen with little or no changes from the original text. While the action in the screen version will be of today there are no scenes that will have to be brought up to date by the introduction of modern inventions. Albert E. Smith, president of Vita- graph, is confident that as a photoplay, "The Great Divide" will surpass the stage production. The earlier scenes are laid on a big ranch in the West and then follows the journey of the hero and heroine across the plains and over the mountains to civilization in a small eastern town. The first two acts in the spoken ver- sion of the play were devoted to the western scenes but the beauties of the scenery could only be hinted at. The possibilities for wonderful effects by the camera man are boundless. COXSTAXCE BINNEY Renlart Pictures star who is appearing in the stage play, "39 East," at the Prin- cess theatre, Chicago. Another of Series "The Great Divide" will be another of the series of screen version of the famous stage plays which are being pro- duced by Vitagraph. Already it has presented "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Third Degree," "The Gambler" and "The Climbers." all of which met with instant success. Winchell Smith's "The Fortune Hunter" with Earle Williams in the leading role, is nearly completed and the great Drury Lane melodrama, "The Sporting Duchess" with Alice Joyce in the title role, is now well un- der way. Norma Talmadge has just finished her first rational picture, "A Daughter of Two Worlds," from the novel of the same name by LeRoy Scott, and it is now being cut and titled by Director Jiminie Young. Mr. Young is also part author of the adaptation having collab- orated with Edmund Goulding, who is now abroad, finding new stories for Miss Talmadge's future First National Pro- ductions. An unusually extensive advertising campaign will be launched for "A Daugh- ter of Two Worlds," both by the First National exploitation department, and by the Norma Talmadge Company press department. An elaborate press booklet of "Helps to Exhibitors" is now being prepared, and arrangements are being made to reproduce on souvenir post cards and on sheets and window cards, a beautiful profile view of Norma Talmadge painted by Stiles Dickenson, the miniature portrait painter. Mr. Dick- enson has also recently completed a miniature on ivory of Constance Tal- madge, and is soon to have Natalia Tal- madge sit for him. Buys Scotch Novel The Famous Players-Lasky Corporation has purchased for screen presentation. "Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush," the work of the Scotch author, Ian MacLaren. No star has yet been assigned to the produc- tion, which probably will be filmed as a special, adding another to the list of fiction classics which Famous Players-Lasky has been presenting on the screen. Starts New Feature With the completion of Harold Mc- Grath's novel, "Hearts and Masks," starr- ing pretty Elinor Field, the National Film Corporation has announced the start of an- other feature, this time a story with a delightful southern setting, called "The Kentucky Colonel." To Enlarge Playhouse NEWTON FALLS, OHIO.— The motion picture theatre in this city is to be enlarged to seat 1,000. GLORIA SWA\SO\ One of the stars in Cecille B. De Millers "Male and Female," who rumor says is soon to become Mrs. Herbert K. So in- born. Benny Leonard Plans Immediate Start on New Hallmark Serial Benny Leonard, who is to star in a fifteen spisode serial to be produced and distributed by Frank G. Hall, president of Hallmark Pictures Corp., returned to New York this week from Tulsa Okla., where he won a decision over Jimmy Duffy in a fifteen round boxing contest. The champion will start work this month according to the announcement made by Mr. Hall. Work will be com- menced at the Hallmark Studio at 130 V\ 38th St., where the interiors will be taken. During the course of production the champion will tiavel from New York to the coast, stopping off at the princi- pal cities where scenes will be taken. Mr. Hall has not yet announced the director for the Leonard serial. The story is now being written by a well known magazine writer who is credited with the authorship of one of the first serials ever made. Harvey Leaves Realart NEW YORK— Hugh Carter Harvey, assistant director of publicity for Realart Pictures Corp., has severed his connec- tion with that organization to act as sales manager for the National Tuber- culosis Association which annually sponsors the sale of Red Cross Christ- mas seals. June Caprice Recovers f June Caprice having recovered from a severe attack of the grippe, which stopped all work on her latest picture, "Littk Mother Hubbard," has fully recovered and returned to the studio at Fort Lee. G?orge Archainbaud, whom Albert Capellani chose to direct Miss Caprice, expects to finish "Little Mother Hubbard" this week. First Norma Talmadge For First National Is Being Cut and Titled 61 EXHIBITORS HERALD Second J. Parker Read Special Is Announced by Hodkinson Corp. 'The Lone Wolf's Daughter, "Newest Louise Glaum Production Is Declared to Be Powerful Melo- drama With Colorful Investiture J. Parker Read, Jr., is said to have pro- duced an even bigger picture than his suc- cessful first Louise Glaum special, "Sa- hara,"—"The Lone Wolf's Daughter," by Louis Joseph Vance, received this week from the coast by the Hodkinson corpora- tion and announced for pre-release show- ings in early December in the larger cities "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" was made under the supervision of Mr. Read himself LOUISE GrLAXJM Whose latest production, "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," is declared to excel "Sahara," her current success. at the Thomas H. Ince studios in Los Angeles and reveals the technical resources of that great producing plant. The story embodies the majority of the characters already familiar to millions of American picture patrons in "The Lone Wolf," pro- duced two years ago and in "False Faces," one of last season's spectacular successes produced by Mr. Ince. The scene of the story is laid in London with a panorama of colorings ranging from the magnificence of Buckingham Palace to the mysterious depths of the colorful Limehouse district, where Thomas Burke conceived his story. "The Chink and the Child," later produced by D. W. Griffith under the title, "Broken Blossoms." Vance Writes Scenario Louis Joseph Vance personally built the scenario for Producer Read and both edited and titled "The Lone Wolf's Daughter." being still in California after the comple- tion of this work. Submitted to unusually calm judgment, "The Lone Wolf's Daugh- ter" is declared to be one of the biggest melodramas ever made for the screen and some idea of its appeal to exhibitors may be gained from the statement that the first five big first run exhibitors to whom it was submitted booked it instantly for pre-re- lease engagements at the distributor's own price quotations. The American premiere of this Louise Glaum special production will be held the week of December 21 at the Boston Theatre, the largest of the Moir chain of houses on Clark street, Chi- cago, followed immediately by first runs in the North, South and West Side districts of Chicago and with later circuit wide bookings throughout the city. The making of this Louise Glaum special has been attended by a species of mental chemistry. J. Parker Read, Jr., deter- mined at the beginning of 1919 to make only two Louise Glaum productions during the entire year. He determined that with two pictures he would see that they placed Miss Glaum among the first of the feminine stars of the screen world. Both he and Miss Glaum knew that shifting manage- ments and pictures previously made in which she should not have been placed had made it both necessary and desirable that she henceforth make fewer pictures and that whatever pictures she made should be ideally suited to her. The result was "Sahara," a picture that for several months has been one of the biggest selling pictures and one that brought its star a pre-eminent reputation. "Sahara" had a Robert Hich- ens atmosphere and represents what many believe to be the finest work ever achieved by C. Gardner Sullivan. The scenes of "Sahara" alternated between Paris and the colorful, mysterious Desert of Sahara with colorful episodes in Cairo. Is Colorful Story "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" is a story of the Paris and London of today ; a vital, tense, exciting melodrama with a love and fashion interest. The Hodkinson organi- zation boldly announces it as "the biggest melodrama ever made" and likewise an- nounces the novelty of simultaneous serial publication of the novel by Mr. Vance in one of the biggest of American monthly magazines and simultaneous serial publica- tion in England. Miss Glaum in "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" had thirty odd changes of gowns, wraps and costumes and the pic- ture besides all of its power, appeal and other virtues is expected to set certain fash- ion standards for women throughout the country. It will be good news to many screen fans to know that Edwin Stevens, the sardonic, crafty Baron Alexis in "Sa- hara," is the villain of this second Louise Glaum production, being the head of the criminal syndicate in London and the direct protagonist of the Lone Wolf himself. Equity Case Outline Issued by Selznick Temporary Injunction Granted — To Test Contentions at January Trial In reference to the litigation now pend- ing bet wren Lewis J. Selznick, the Equity Pictures Corporation and Clara Kimball Young, Mr. Selznick issued the following statement on Saturday, Nov. 29 : Hon. Learned Hand, judge of the District Court of the southern district of New York, handed down a decision today in which he granted the application of Lewis J. Selznick and the C. K. Y. Film corporation for a pre- liminary injunction restraining the Equity Pictures corporation from distributing "Eyes 62 of Youth" and future Clara Kimball Young pictures and from distributing, exhibiting or otherwise exploiting such pictures unless it furnish a surety company bond of $25,000 for each such picture for the protection of Selznick and the C. K. Y. Film corporation during the pendency of the suit. When Clara Kimball Young made her con- tract of settlement with Selznick and the C. K. Y. Film corporation in June of this year, she agreed as a term of that contract and a condition of her release from her pre- vious contract of employment with the C. K. Y. Film corporation that she would pay C. K. Y. Film corporation $25,000 upon the com- pletion and before delivery and release of each of the next ten motion pictures in which she should appear. She further agreed in order to secure the payment of these sums to the C. K. Y. Film corporation that no such picture would be re- leased or exhibited until the money due thereon had been paid and that C. K. Y. Film corporation should have a lien on each picture made by her on her own account for • the sum of $25,000 with the right upon de- fault to sell same at public sale. Ten days later Clara Kimball Young made a contract with Fine Arts Film corporation which had just been incorporated with a cap- italization of $1,000 by a former associate of her attorney under which she agreed to make ten pictures for that corporation at a compen- sation to equal two-thirds of the net profits of the corporation, such compensation to be payable after the completion of the third, sixth and tenth pictures. The corporation meanwhile in its discretion to loan to her living expenses which it could deduct from her compensation. Fine Arts Film corporation then made a contract with Equity Pictures corporation whereby it agreed to sell to the latter ten Clara Kimball Young pictures at $150,000 per picture. One half of the stock of the Equity company was issued in the name of Harry Garson, who was Miss Young's personal rep- resentative. Lewis J. Selznick and C. K. Y. Film corpo- ration believing that Miss Young would- attempt to evade the provisions of her settlement con- tract have repeatedly announced to the trade their rights under that contract. About a mon>h ago Equity Pictures corporation started suit against Mr. Selznick, C. K. Y. Film cor- poration and Select Pictures corporation, seek- ing to restrain them from issuing such adver- tisements and announcements. The Equity company's motion for a pre- liminary injunction was denied by Judge Knox. The C. K. Y. Film corporation, Se- lect and Mr. Selznick had meanwhile filed a countersuit alleging a conspiracy between Miss Young, the Fine Arts and the Equity Picture corporation to deprive Mr. Selznick and the C. K. Y. Film corporation of the fruits of their settlement contract with Miss Young, among other things setting forth the facts above stated. Upon these facts Mr. Selznick and the asso- ciated companies made a motion for an in- junction to restrain Equity Pictures corpo- ration from releasing, distributing, delivering or exploiting Miss Young's pictures until the sum of $25,000 due on each of such pictures had been paid. This motion was argued two weeks ago before Judge Hand and the injunc- tion granted as above stated. This decision means that the Equity Pic- tures corporation if it intends to continue the distribution of Clara Kimball Young pic- tures must immediately put up a satisfactory surety company bond for $25,000 on account of the "Eyes of Youth," and must put up a similar bond upon the release of every subse- quent Clara Kimball Young picture which it seeks to distribute during the pendency of the suit. The various issues involved in the case will come up for hearing before Judge Hand in January. The present ruling in- volves only a temporary injunction and was based on affidavits and statements made by the litigants. Pending the final adjudication of the matter, the interests of Both parties are protected by bonds filed with the court. George Lippman Holds Conference in Chicago George Lippman of the Grossman Pic- tures, Inc., was in conference this week in Chicago with J. L. Friedman of the Cele- brated Players Film corporation. Mr. Lippman stated that he found condi- tions in this territory in a very satisfactory EXHIBITORS HERALD WITH THE PROCESSION IN LOS ANGELES Excess Baggage Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllll. Ill By Harry Hammond Beal David Butler, who has just returned to Los Angeles after a vacation of two weeks spent in San Francisco, will begin on a new picture at Universal within a few da vs. * * * Scenario writers at Universal have taken the measure of Frank Mayo, the leading man, who has just signed for another two years with Universal. The staff is looking "for a vehicle to fit Mayo. He will.be starred in his next production. * * * Roscoe Karns, who is a member of the Morosco Theater cast in the record run of "Civilian Clothes," made his Los Angeles debut in films when "Poor Relations," a King Vidqr feature was shown at a local theater. It happened that Karns was ap- pearing in the two productions on the same street at the same time. * * * Al Santell, director of comedies at Universal, has just completed "Upper Three and Lower Four," an elaborate production. Santell was seven weeks filming the pic- ture and expects to spend two more weeks in the cutting. * * * Director Claude H. Mitchell has just completed his first picture for Brentwood. It was "Where There's a Will," and Mitchell is busy cutting the film. Henry Woodward was leading man in the picture and played opposite Zasu Pitts. * * * Mitchell and Woodward were both on the Lasky lot together four years before joining the Brentwood forces. When Mitchell left Lasky and began casting for his new picture, the first person named was Woodward. * * * Edward Everett Horton, leading man at the Majestic Theater, is considering sev- eral offers which he has received from mo- tion picture producers. Horton has played stock leads in several large cities. He may make his cinema debut at the close of his present engagement. * * * A new contract has just been signed by Larry Semon, the Vitagraph comedian. The press agent has quite outdone himself AMERICAN RED CROSS in the claim that Semon is to receive $3,000,000 for three years' work. * * * Little Mary Sunshine, the child star, who is also called Baby Marie Osisorne, is an important feature in a divorce suit which her parents are battling out in court. The mother has been given custody of the child for the present. * * * Will Rogers, the lasso-throwing GoJd- wyn star, has engaged Irene Rich as his leading lady for a series of pictures. * • * Hal Roach, producer of the comedies featuring Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, who is in New York, announced there that he is looking for six medium sized beauties to take back to Los Angeles with him for exploitation in his future films. * * * Especial interest will attach to "The Bear Trap," the next Wallace Reid picture by reason of the fact that several of the country's most noted auto speed demons, assembled at Los Angeles for a race, were impressed into some of the scenes. * * * "The Woman in Room 13" in which Pauline Frederick will again show her emotional abilities will be another triumph for Director Frank Lloyd, it is predicted at the Goldwyn studios. In "Les Miser- ables" and "A Tale of Two Cities," in which William Faenum was starred, Lloyd showed what he could do when given the latitude for pictorial embellishment, and it is said that this will be a strong charac- teristic of "The Woman in Room 13." It will be a screen translation of the stage success of the same name, with consider- able dramatic and photographic extension such as the cinema permits. * * * Reme R. Rivierre, J. Warren Kerri- gan's personal representative, returned this week from New York with the film rights of two novels. These purchases involved the expenditure of several thousand dollars. * * * - While Frank Borzage, the motion pic- ture director, was in the east making a picture with Alma Rubens for Cosmopoli- tan Films, burglars entered his home on the fashionable Wilshire boulevard in Los Angeles and stripped it of most of its portable valuables. The booty filled an automobile. The wardrobes of both Mr. and Mrs. Borzage were reduced to nearly zero. An interesting fact in connection with the affair is that Mr. Borzage has never seen the house, it having been pur- chased by his wife since his departure for the east. ♦ ♦ Bessie Barriscale has just given $275 for a purse called "The Bessie Barriscale Handicap." The race will he seven and one-half furlongs. J. Warren Kerrigan, who is also a great lover of highbred horseflesh, has also given a purse for this series of races which are to take place in Los Angeles. * * * Denison Clift, scenario editor at the Fox Studio, has laid aside his typewriter and blue pencil temporarily in favor of HELEN FERGUSON With grips in one hand and Lillian Hall, under the other arm, arrives at the Gold- wyn Studios in Culver City, Calif., to eommenee work on "Goingr Some," an Eminent Authors photoplay by Rex Bench, the megaphone, and is directing Madlaine Traverse in "What Would You Do?" Negotiations are being conducted with Trixie Friganza and Producer Thomas O'Day for the film rights to "Poor Mamma," her latest musical comedy writ- ten by Elmer Harris and Jean Havez. It is intended to star Miss Friganza in "Poor Mamma" on the screen. Cropper Organizing Company to Handle World Film Rights R. C. Cropper, one of the pioneer film men of this country, who entered the busi- ness when motion pictures consisted of parades, 20th Century limited taking water along its track while in motion, or a few Indians on their reservation, has just com- pleted an organization which will bear his name, The Cropper Distributing Corpora- tion, and will enter the field as distributors of world rights pictures of the first class. Mr. Cropper's associates are confident that his practical experience which em- braces every phase of the industry, particu- larly fits him to guide an organization of national scope. An important acquisition by the company is the world rights for dis- tribution of the twenty-six new two-reel comedies featuring Billy West, the publish- ing of which has started, and the forthcom- ing twenty-six two-reel comedies featuring Alice Howell, making a total of fifty-two two-reel comedies for the year, productions of the Emerald Motion Picture Company, made under the personal supervision of President F. J. Ireland. Mr. Cropper's plans will cover all foreign markets and will include productions and comedies of the snappy variety that can be included in the feature class. 63 EXHIBITORS HERALD ECONOMICAL EFFICIENCY r I rHROUGH the advertising columns 1 of EXHIBITORS HERALD your message is read by the man who pays the bills — the exhibitor. ^j^OUR business message will go into eac h theat re under the most favorable conditions, because the ex- hibitor in charge looks upon EXHIBI- TORS HERALD as an essential part of his business. rJTHESE theatres are profitable and these exhibitors are successful because no exhibitor can long read it and possess a theatre that is not progressive. PXHIBITORS HERALD does not ^ claim the largest VOLUME CIR- CULATION of the field. Its ideal is to render the most useful and neces- sary service possible, to earnest, am- bitious, wide-awake exhibitors. EXHIBITORS HERALD 64 EXHIBITORS HERALD P. A. Chase Rejoins Hallmark Pictures Succeeds William Eisenhardt As Comptroller for Film Corporation P. A. Chase, one of the best known financial experts and comptrollers in the film business, has succeeded William Eisenhardt, resigned, as comptroller for Hallmark Pictures Corporation, assum- ing his new duties this week. Mr. Eisen- hardt resigned to enter the production field of the picture business. Is Expert Accountant Mr. Chase has been identified with the financial and accounting departments of some of the industry's biggest concerns, having been active in capacity of comp- troller and expert on accounting since the inception of the Warners Features, Inc., some years ago. The new comptroller for Hallmark is as experienced in the production branch of the industry as he is in the financial end, having been identified closely with both branches since the first appearance of feature pictures. Originator of Systems Many of the systems of accounting characteristic of the distributing and pro- duction end of the business are accred- ited to him, and as a result of his efforts along this line the exchanges have adopted what is conceded as one of the best systems of accounting in vogue in similar departments of any commercial line of business. Mr. Chase was formerly identified with Frank G. Hall, president of Hallmark Pictures Corporation, when Mr. Hall first entered the distributing branch of the business. He was Mr. Eisenhardt's predecessor as comptroller for Mr. Hall's interests. Mr. Eisenhardt will announce the details of his production plans in the near future. Al, ST. JOHN Star and producer of the Paramount-St. John comedies, who says a comedy pro- ducer mast have the patience of a land- lord, the nerve of a safe cracker and the skill of a counterfeiter. Frank Keenan Heads Pathe's Schedule for Sunday, December 7 Frank Keenan, who was last seen in "The False Code," makes his next appearance for Pathe in "Brothers Divided," a feature in five reels, which will head Pathe's list for December 7. The play, written by Ger- trude Andrews, who has several stage suc- cesses to her credit, was directed and pro- duced by Mr. Keenan. In "Brothers Divided" has been provided a vehicle for the producer-star, in which he portrays a dual role. In this work Mr. Keenan has not depended alone upon "make-up" to achieve his effects, but, it is reported, has brought all of his mimetic power and histrionic ability to the front in such a way that at no time does one man suggest the other. It is said to be a remarkable portrayal. A feature of the production is the filming of the Arizona State Prison, the inmates and the officials. This was secured by Mr. Keenan through the friendship which sprung up between himself and Governor Thomas E. Campbell of Arizona, through the Governor's interest and endorsement of his timely production, "The World Aflame." The entire institution was placed at Mr. Keenan's disposal, a holiday was pro- claimed and, for a day, the prison became a motion picture studio. "Vengeance of Durand" Gains in Popularity "The Vengeance of Durand," adapted from Rex Beach's story by Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester, the first of Vita- graph's special productions of stories by twelve of the most notable American writ- ers of fiction, is now being shown exten- sively throughout the country. With Alice Joyce in the leading role, it was first shown at the B. S. Moss Broadway theatre three weeks ago as a special feature and has since had a pre-release showing at several of the largest theatres in the United States. Vitagraph heralded "The Vengeance of Durand" as its biggest and strongest pro- duction of the year and its success was immediate. With Alice Joyce as the star, Rex Beach as the author, Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester as the adapters, Tom Terriss as the director and Vitagraph as the producer, the picture has come up to all expectations. Pleased exhibitors are writing to Vitagraph their appreciation of the picture, it is announced, and asking for more of the same sort. Numa Picture Company Leaves for West Coast NEW YORK— The Numa Pictures Com- pany broke camp and hit the trail for Cali- fornia November 29, for the completion of "The Return of Tarzan." The com- pany includes George Romaine, Franklin Coates, Betty Turner, Walter Miller, et al. Harry Revier is the director and George M. Merrick supervisor. Use Circus in Film Part of Ringling Brothers' circus is being used in the screening of "Her Ele- phant Man," Shirley Mason's first pic- ture for William Fox. WILLIAM LE BARON Who has been named editor of Cosmopoli- tan Productions by William Randolph Hearst. Metro Acquires Rights To Eugene Walter Play The screen rights to "Fine Feathers," Eugene Walter's stage play which en- joyed considerable prominence when produced some years ago with Lolita Lobertson, Rose Coghlan, Robert Ede- son and Wilton Lackaye in the cast, have been purchased by the Metro Pic- tures Corp. May Allison, whose work in the past has been confined almost entirely to the lighter type of drama or comedy- drama, will play the leading role in the screen version. "The Lurking Peril" Is Scheduled December 15 "The Lurking Peril," the new serial being handled by the Arrow Film Corpora- tion, and starring Anne Luther and George Larkin, will be ready for publication De- cember 15. Arrow's advertising department has pre- pared a complete line of advertising acces- sories. The press books and photos as well as the lithographs are said to be un- usually good. The greater part of the world's rights have been sold on this serial, practically the only open territory is in the northwest and on the Pacific Coast, with one or two ter- ritories in the southwest. Harry Ward Entertains Friends and Trade Press NEW YORK— Harry Ward, the English film magnate, gave a good will banquet to some American friends and members of the trade press at the Hotel Astor on Fri- day night. Among those present were Harry L. Curdy, Walter Hoff Seely, Ben- jamin Wadsworth, Gustave Schlesinger, A. J. McCosker, John W. Semler, James Bee- croft, Lesley Mason, William A. Johnson, George Blaisdell, J. W. Alicoate, and Joe Dannenberg. Mr. Ward was presented with a diamond and platinum watch and chain by his business associates. 65 EXHIBITORS HERALD Essanay-Chaplins Returns Engagements Making New Records As an indication of the popularity of the Essanay-Chaplin productions which Victor Kremer is at present distributing on a state right basis, Connie J. Roe, manager of the Plattsburg Theatre, Plattsburg, New York, has advised Kremer offices that he played "A Bur- lesque on Carmen" during the period of its initial release four times in one month. Mr. Roe states that with a theatre of 1000 capacity he exhibited "Carmen" each time to almost double this number of people. Probably the most unique record ever heard of in motion picture production is that established by the "Champion," an- other Victor Kremer Essanay-Chaplin, which has played one theatre in the South twenty-six times. Due to the extraordinary theatre con- ditions at the present time, it is likely that "A Burlesque on Carmen" presented with the Carmen Dancing Girls, Jazz Band and Comedy Bull Fight will be shown out of town before its metropoli- tan premier. The 20th Century Film Company of Philadelphia and the Mickey Film Corp- oration of Chicago have already secured theatres for the opening of "Carmen" with its various features and the initial performances will be given in these two cities around the 15th of December. It is the intention of Harry Crandall of Washington, D. C, to present "A Burlesque on Carmen" in his territory with a tabloid revue featuring a well- known comedian who will interpret the character of "Darn Hosiery" as played by Chaplin in the film. "The Miracle of Love" With an English Cast A Current Paramount "The Miracle of Love," a Cosmopoli- tan production from the novel by Cosmo Hamilton, produced at the Biograph studio, New York City, is one of the current Paramount-Artcraft releases. Robert Z. Leonard directed the produc- tion and Leon d'Usseau acted as his assistant. The cast, which is almost entirely an English one, is headed by Lucy Cotton whose work in "Sun Up" and other screen releases has placed her in the high ranks of screen artists,' and whose success in 'Up in Mabel's Room" last year and in "Turn to the Right" for two seasons won her merited applause. Wyndham Standing, one of the screen's foremost leading men, plays opposite Miss Cotton in "The Miracle of Love." The supporting cast includes Tvo Dawson, whose first American pic- ture is "The Miracle of Love," and who has had a splendid screen and stage rec- ord abroad; Ida Darling, veteran of the screen: Lila Blow, who is excellently cast as an Englishwoman; Jackie Saun- ders and Percy Standing. "The Miracle of Love" sets are said to be unusual in every respect, notably those for the House of Lords, which Lester J. Vermilyea, art director of Cos- mopolitan Productions, constructed after original drawings, with the aid of the large studio staff, in three weeks' time. J. STEWART WOODHOISE J STEWART WOODHOUSE oc- cupies the unique position right * now of being an important factor in two of the biggest motion picture studios in the world. He has recently been appointed director of publicity at the Goldwyn Studio in Los Angeles and at this particular time the Famous Players-Lasky company is making a photoplay to star Wallace Reid from an original story by Mr. Woodhouse. The name of the story is "Speed Carr." It will be published some time in De- cember or January. Mr. Woodhouse knows the picture business from all angles. He was for- merly a theatre manager, a newspaper man, an exchange advertising man, a studio publicity director, a writer of short stories and a scenarioist. New Lorain Theatre LORAIN, OHIO—A motion picture- theatre to cost $150,000 will be erected on Broadway, it has been announced. The theatre will be built by Dr. A. T. Grills, his brother, Wesley Grills, and Carl Lertz- man. The seating capacity will be 2,500. Stern in New York Herman Stern, manager of the Pitts- burgh office of Universal, is spending a few days in New York, in consultation with Carl Laemmle, Universal's head, H. M. Berman, General Manager of Ex- changes, and other executives at head- quarters. STANTON SAVES MONEY (Continued from page 55) through the clouds. Instantly the cam- eras were grinding. By the time it was too dark to "shoot," eighty-five scenes had been taken, and the work at that location completed. And those three hours of sunshine were all — it rained steadily for another week! Stages Battles at Night The Fox Film Corporation feature on the life of General Pershing, called "The Land of the Free," engaged the services of a total of four thousand five hundred persons for its battle scenes. This good- sized army was transported to and from the trenches in twenty-two trucks, at an expense of forty dollars a day for each truck. After a little figuring Stanton found that by changing the scenario to provide two nights of battle action, he not only increased the effect, but could finish with that location in two days and two nights, remaining forty-eight hours in an improvised camp instead of giving ten days to the work and piling up thousands in transportation expense. So he provided the necessary rockets, flares and star shells for night scene illumination, and carried out the pro- gram to the letter. The extra money paid for overtime was insignificant com- pared with the huge saving in transpor- tation and time. Instances similar to the foregoing are numerous in connection with the seven- teen features directed by Richard Stan- ton for Fox Film Corppration; but these are sufficient to answer the question cur- rent in the motion picture world re- garding Stanton's readily increasing status in direction. COMPETITION IS KEEN (Continued from page 53) Diamond the crush almost amounted to a catastrophe. Regular patrons, who had always been able to find a seat whenever they cared to come to the theatre, made strenuous objections to Mr. Myers about having to wait in line for two or three hours before they could even get stand- ing room. They acquired some comfort from the extension of the run for a day longer than was originally planned, but more were turned away from the last performance than from the first. Despite the fact that Heenan added some expenses that were not necessary, such as keeping a publicity man in the city for the entire week prior to the be- ginning of the run, his sixty per cent, after all expenses had been deducted, amounted to a little more than two times and a half the flat rental he had quoted to the Campbell and Feeley. Whether Mr. Myers was as satisfied is best judged by the fact that he has expressed him- self ready to sign a contract for "any- thing Heenan wants without reading it." The theatre war might have ended after the run of "Daddy Long Legs" was ended except for the remark, made by the manager of one of the large theatres, "Oh, any one could have done it with 'Daddy Long Legs.'" Heenan retorted that "any real special feature attraction would do the same," and he offered to prove it in the most practical form, by entering into a contract with Myers for runs on "Whom the Goods Would De- stroy," "The Hoodlum," "Auction of Souls" and "Choosing a Wife." His ex- ploitation on the latter is just starting and it promises to be even livelier than the "Daddy Long Legs" was, for the other two theatres are on their mettle. One lasting result which undoubtedly will come of the war is the ending for- ever of flat rentals in Hazelton. Heenan was not very keen for them himself, but now he is an enthusiast. Myers is an- other convert and both the Campbell and Feeley are said to have made in- nuiries for percentage arrangements on the pictures they will use to counter the runs of the First National attractions at the Diamond. 66 67 EXHIBITORS HERALD PlwliLoil OF PICTURES OF THE WEEK illllllllllllllllllllllill Illllllill IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Illlllll NllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII^ CHEISTMAS Eve has always been looked upon by exhibitors as an evening to go down to the theatre, open up on schedule time, run off the show for the few who chanced to drop in, wish the employes the accustomed "Merry Christmas," and then go home early to get some sleep in preparation for a big day on Christmas. Experience has proved that Christmas Eve is not an exhibitors' night.. Why not, for a change, make Christmas Eve as big a night as Christmas or New Year's? Why not begin tomorrow advertising a special per- formance for that date? A Christmas tree can be arranged, with merchant co-operation or with- out, star portraits or other small presents of like nature being distributed from the tree. It is not beyond the pale of possibility that you may be able, by concentrated advertising, to con- vince the public that the early part of the great evening may as well be spent at your theatre as at home about the fireside, uneasily awaiting the hour for the little ones to go to bed so their stock- ings may be filled or the tree decorated. Consider the matter carefully. It can be done. And it will pay to do it. It is certainly worth the effort. "ERSTWHILE SUSAN" (Realart) introduces a new and charming star to American audiences in the person of Constance Binney. If her first production is a fair specimen of her work, and it certainly bears the stamp of reliability, she will take her place among the leading feminine screen stars in a very short time. The play is from the book, "Barnabetta," by Helen R. Martin. "VAGABOND LUCK" (Fox) is a racing story in which Albert Ray and Elinor Fair are given roles well suited to their personalities and ability. It is comedy-drama of attractive type, natural in setting and acting, entertaining as a whole. It should be received rather warmly wherever shown. "HEART OF THE HILLS" (First National) resembles "Daddy Long Legs" and "The Hood- lum" only in that Mary Pickford is the star in all three productions and delivers a performance that is bound to please. This time the Kentucky mountains form the background, and there is less than usual of comedy in the play. It is as finely produced as its predecessors and should approxi- mate them in popularity. "THE LORD LOVES THE IRISH" (Brunton- Hodkinson) casts J. Warren Kerrigan as an Irish policeman in New York and central figure in the capture of a counterfeiting band and the heart of a wholly desirable American girl. It is a popu- lar type of story, well done in every respect and calculated to please generally. "THE GRAY WOLF'S GHOST" (Hampton- Robertson-Cole) marks another change of style for H. B. Warner. This time he is cast in a rather serious drama of the southwest, native supersti- tion and intrigue playing prominent parts in the composition of the narrative. As in "A Fugitive From Matrimony," his last previous vehicle, he displays his versatility by a thoughtful, under- standing delineation of the role assigned him. "PEGEEN" (Vitagraph) qualifies as good eve-ry-day entertainment, the sort of entertain- ment that must be provided for every exhibitor. Bessie Love is the star, and she takes full advan- tage of a role fashioned after the model with which her name has come to be associated. "VICTORY" ( Paramount- Artcraft) transposes to screen the novel of the same name by Joseph Conrad, Maurice Tourneur being the man who effects the transposition and Jack Holt, Seena Owen, Lon Chaney, Wallace Beery and Bull Mon- tana assisting with well-done portrayals of char- acteristic roles. It is not nursery amusement, but it is excellent entertainment for the adult and the thoughtful. "THE BELOVED CHEATER" (Gasnier-Rob- ertson-Cole) presents Lewis J. Cody in a villain- less comedy that should provide wholly satisfac- tory exhibition material for the majority of ex- hibitors. It is unlike anything that the star has done to date, but establishes his claim to versa- tility and should greatly advance his stand in fan favor. "EASTWARD HO" (Fox) opens with William Russell a cow man on his home soil, the untram- meled West, and ends with the star still a cow man, but a man among men in the effete East. It has melodrama, comedy and romance, the three requisites of a William Russell success, in goodly measure. "BROTHERS DIVIDED" (Pathe) carries to the public another Frank Keenan treatment of the labor-capital and employer-employe question in another well-written, well-directed, well-staered photo-play. It should satisfy both parties to the controversy, as well as the impartial amusement seeker. nirtiiutmimiiiimutiiiiniiiirT 68 Frank Keenan in BROTHERS DIVIDED Five-part drama; Pathe. Directed by Frank Keenan. Published in December. OPINION : A recent report from an exhibitor playing "The World Aflame," a Frank Keenan production of some months ago, reads, "I'icture shown to critical audience of striking ship build- ers. First there were hisses, then bursts of applause." So much for the time- liness of the fact-fiction style which Mr. Keenan has taken for his specialty. It is the same style that characterizes his latest production, "Brothers Di- vided." And if there is an actor engaged in screen production who can use that style effectively and usefully, Keenan is the man. Again the relations of the rich and the poor, the employer and the employed, have been made the fundamentals of the story. These relations, under discus- sion wherever men meet, are the most important that could be chosen for dramatic purposes. As in "The World Aflame," the sub- ject matter has been handled with tact and diplomacy. The chinks in the armor of both parties to the controversy are found, probed gently but effectually, and the good points shown in equally satisfactory manner. The picture is well made, well cast and ably directed. It is all that screen entertainment is expected to be. Be- sides which it is a message which every exhibitor should be glad to deliver to his patrons. SYNOPSIS: Tom King, who has been sentenced to the penitentiary under questionable circumstances, is pardoned when he displays the better side of his character in a heroic rescue. He returns home to find his brother, Matthew, mismanaging his factories and mistreating the son whom Tom has left in his care. In a fit of anger Matthew is stricken with paralysis and becomes an invalid. Tom takes over the man- agement of his affairs and possessions. Rapidly conditions are improved, des- pite the helpless opposition of Matthew, and the affairs of the little community which is dependent upon the factories for existence are greatly bettered. Through the whole runs a love story which entertains, though second ;n im- portance to the bigger theme. H. B. Warner in THE GRAY WOLF'S GHOST Five-part drama; Jesse D. Hampton. Directed by Park Frame. Published by Robertson-Cole. OPINION : From Oriental drama to American light comedy was the last step taken by H. B. Warner, "A Fugi- tive from Matrimony" being the vehicle used in the transposition. Because the change was instrumental in throwing into high relief the versatility of the star, as well as calculated to add new admirers, it was commended in this de- partment. With "The Gray Wolf's Ghost" an- FRANK KEENAN As he appears in "Brothers Divided," his new Pathe Feature. other step, quite as unexpected and quite as important, though for the same reasons, has been taken. Here it is melodrama that engages the star, melo- drama of the Southwest, with the flow- ing mantilla and the native superstition very much in evidence. Unruffled by the demands of the change in type, the star delineates the role assigned him with the easy mastery which has marked all of his screen work to date. In both phases of the dual role called for in the script he is natural and effective. Rita Stanwood and Marin Sais are ex- perienced players particularly well chosen for the work in hand. They fit into the background as though a part thereof. Edward Peil, whose character- izations of difficult roles under many banners have attracted considerable at- tention in recent months is also promi- nent in support. A policy of change is a good one for the star. It seems to have been adopted with conviction. All of which argues the advisability of taking advantage of the material offered. SYNOPSIS: Into the West comes a stern stranger, identity undisclosed, with determination to investigate the circumstances which have held his father virtually a prisoner of the coun- try. He finds that parent plotting to swindle one Donna Maria of the prop- erty which she owns. His plot succeeds but the Spanish lady uses her wiles to win his favor, with the result that at his death the property is once again left in her possession. The son's efforts to set things aright arouses the enmity of cer- tain natives, who plot his downfall. The timely arrival of the first train Jo be sent through the territory on the newly erected railroad saves his life, after which matters arrange themselves to the satisfaction of all concerned. 69 Maurice Tourneur's VICTORY Five-part drama; Paramount- Artcraft. Directed by Maurice Tourneur. Published December 7. OPINION: Joseph Conrad's novels, of which "Victory," from which the cur- rent production was made, is representa- tive, are not written for nursery con- sumption. They are strong, vital narra- tives of virile men and women. If "red blooded" hadn't been so widely used in describing the work of Rex Beach it might be attached to the Conrad novels, for no other phrase fits them quite so well. Maurice Tourneur's picturization of the novel, like the book itself, will not entertain the little folks. But, also like the novel, it will provide grownups with something very nearly approximating the best that the screen affords. The story deals with the romance of a man and woman brought together by unusual circumstances from unusual walks of life. They are thrown upon a South Sea island amid circumstantial surroundings that make a stereotyped story an impossibility. The result is live fiction, engaging during every moment of its exhibition, true to life and logic and certain to satisfy the general public, from whatever strata of that great body the group which occupies your theatre may be culled. Jack Holt is the most prominent mem- ber of what is in effect an all star cast. Seena Owen, Lon Chaney, Wallace Beery and Bull Montana, in roles that suit them perfectly, contribute valuable characterizations. SYNOPSIS: Axel Heyst, a strange man and silent, forms but one friend- ship, that of a sailing man supposedly without resources, who rewards his charitable assistance by giving him half interest in coal lands known to exist upon a South Sea island. Difficulties arise, which lead Heyst back to civiliza- tion, where he meets and rescues from her annoyers Alma, an abused member of a hotel entertainment company. He takes the girl back to his island, quarter- ing her in an abandoned shack. It is not in his nature to love, so there is nothing of sentiment in the relation. But a trio of fortune hunters who hear strange tales of Heyst's valuable possessions come to the island and attempt to take from him his treasure as well as the girl. It is then that Heyst discovers his love for Alma. He triumphs over his persecutors and all ends as dictated by the preference of the story's followers. Bessie Love in PEGEEN Five-part drama; Vitagraph. ptes Directed by David Smith. jy to Published in December. >btains OPINION: Every day, for the t^JJiC itor, cannot be "Special Day." Explo....-' tion demands and popular approval are against such a policy. There must be an occasional let-up in the rush and jam of spectacular advertising and elaborate exploitation. And the occasion demands a picture of certain well established qualifications. / EXHIBITORS HERALD Such a play is "Pegeen." It is in all senses a good picture. It is taken from the novel of the same title by William B. Laub. It is a careful transposition of the story. And it has in the leading role Bessie Love, an actress whose abilities and preferences are in line with the characterization demanded of her — consequently an actress who does her work well. The worst criticism that can be regis- tered against the picture is that it is not a thriller, nor a spectacle. Neither is it a heavy digest of a weighty social or economic problem. It is just a simple story of every day people, told in simple, direct continuity, intelligently and co- herently. The audience which is drawn by the star, and that attracted by reason of the novel which is picturized, will be emi- nently satisfied. The casual observer will count the time devoted to viewing the play an hour well spent. SYNOPSIS: Following the death of his wife, Danny O'Neil, slightly unbalanced by his grief, believes that she will return to him in flame and becomes regarded as a menace to the community because of his attempts to fire barns and other dwellings in the hopes of seeing his wife's face. Pegeen, his daughter, is forced to leave him, and finds a home with Nora Moran, a neighbor, where she lives in constant fear that her father's deeds will lead to his imprison- ment. Ezra Watts, whom Pegeen has befriended in the past, conceals her father when at attempt is made to effect his capture. The death of O'Neill clears the way for the happy ending. Constance Binney in ERSTWHILE SUSAN Six-part comedy-drama; Realart. Directed by J. S. Robertson. Published in December. OPINION : Exhibitors ponder deeply the initial productions of new stars. Realizing that a worthy acquisition to the screen stars' register should be ad- vertised heavily and introduced advan- tageously— and that an unworthy new- comer frequently involves extensive monetary loss — he is obliged to be un- usually critical. Constance Binney is a worthy acquisi- tion. Unless film history is an untrustworthy guide, and unless precedent counts for naught, her name will be prominent among the list of successful stars for some seasons to come. Hers is an un- usual, and an unusually pleasing, type of beauty. Hers is an ability unique and considerable. The fan body, quick to appreciate the introduction of new blood into the starring element, will doubtless receive her with the traditional open arms and quickly. "Erstwhile Susan" is Helen R. Mar- tin's novel, "Barnabetta." on film. It has gained life and animation in the transposition. It has lost nothing. A human interest story of a Pennsyl- vania Dutch settlement, and more inti- mately, a recital of the experiences of a very natural and wholly human daughter of the community, the play is unusual enough to score on that ground alone. Add to which the fact that it is intelli- gently told and staged against a back- ground at all times fitting and natural, that the action is never of stereotyped variety, that a capable cast assists the star and technical production has been well cared for — and the opportunity offered to introduce a new and worthy star, at the same time exhibiting an en- tertaining photoplay, is evident. SYNOPSIS : Barnabetta Dready, whose irascible father and overbearing brothers make life miserable for her in their little Pennsylvania home, welcomes gladly the step-mother, who immediately sets about the gaining of her freedom. She is sent to a preparatory academy and soon be- comes one of the prominent figures of the school, despite the opposition of the sister of an instructor, who sees in her a rival for the attentions of David Jor- dan, a young politician. Matters ap- proach a crisis when Barnabetta, as Jor- dan's secretary, works with him all night previous to his nomination for Governor. Insulted by her rival, she flees to her home. She is followed by Jordan and Professor Barrett, who are insulted by the girl's father. But Jordan refuses to be put away and succeeds in winning her promise of marriage, the same effective upon his election to office. Mary Pickford in HEART OF THE HILLS Six-part comedy-drama; First National. Directed by S. A. Franklin. Published in December. OPINION : There used to be those who acclaimed, for obvious reasons loudly, that Mary Pickford was "a one-part actress." "Used to be" is used advisedly, as the accusation has not been hurled of late. "Daddy Long Legs" and "The Hoodlum," pictures that proved this point and made their way to success solely by reason of their intrinsic merit, knocked the allegation into the storied "cocked hat." "Heart of the Hills" should complete the conversion of the doubters, if some there still be remaining. It is unlike either of its immediate predecessors. Yet it compares excellently with both. A story of the Kentucky mountains, it contains much that has come to be iden- tified with stories of the type. But it also contains much that is found in but few of them. The star is admirably cast. She does full justice to the char- acter taken, at the same time, by that means which is hers and hers alone, registering a strong impression for Mary Pickford. The composition of the production is of First National's best style. No need to enumerate. The play will succeed. The statement can be made without qualification. The measure of its success, of course, must be determined by submitting it to the test of popular approval. Good adver- tising and presentation will have some- thing to do with this. The best of these should be given. SYNOPSIS: Mavis Hawn, daughter of the Kentucky mountain country, is not overly pleased when her widowed mother marries Steve Honeycutt, a man who, she is convinced, is marrying her mother for her property. As expected, Honeycutt promptly reveals his true in- tentions by selling the property to one Sands. Mavis influences the night riders, the real law of the community, to drive him from the country. They make the attempt, but her step-father murders Sands, Mavis being tried for the deed but acquitted. A little later she goes to the village to school, and is adopted by Pendleton, a man of wealth. Grey Pen- dleton, his son, attempts to win Mavis' love, but she is true to her rearing and goes back, eventually, to find the man she has always loved in the mountains. Lewis J. Cody in THE BELOVED CHEATER Five-part comedy-drama; Gasnier. Directed by Christie Cabanne. Published by Robertson-Cole. OPINION : Lewis J. Cody, whose film villainies have been so effective as to bring about his stardom, will deliver to his viewers something of a surprise in "The Beloved Cheater," a play which has nothing to do with villainy of any sort, particularly of the sort in which the star has figured most prominently to date. It is a play of young love, the love of young men and young women to whom t'onstnnee Binney as Barnabetta Dreary rebukes her father for a breach of hospitality to her quests in a seene from "Erstwhile Susan" (Bealart IMetures). EXHIBITORS HERALD the prospect of matrimony has become a serious matter and the choosing of a mate for entry into that state has come to be the most vitally engaging of life's phases. With such a situation, and such a star, it might easily have been consid- ered the natural thing to construct a melodrama or society play of stereo- typed design. And such a photoplay might have scored considerable success. But the powers in charge of the pro- duction saw fit, instead, to make of it a comedy-drama with emphasis upon the first half of the compound. Assigning to the supporting roles Eileen Percy, Doris Pawn and Kathleen Kirkman, a quar- tette of promise was assured for the leading roles. Then the story was told in a light vein, romance chiefly en- gaging the attempts of all concerned, and a most entertaining, satisfying pro- duction is the result. When Lewis J. Cody is advertised as the star it might be well to add a line disclosing the nature of the production. But the play will please whether the line is supplied or not. SYNOPSIS: Kindon Challoner. vio- lently in love with Eulalie Morgan, has gained that young lady's consent to their marriage but has been unable to overcome her objections to kissing or other love-making of the type popularly indulged by young persons similarly in- clined. As a means of overcoming her prejudices, which he believes will vanish after the first kiss, he persuades Bruce Sands, noted for his success with the opposite sex, to kiss Eulalie forcibly and thoroughly under prearranged circum- stances which will lead her to believe that he, Challoner, is the guilty man. The ruse succeeds. Eulalie is convinced that she was mistaken in her previous stand. But Challoner's caresses have not the charm of the Sands product and amusing difficulties ensue. The action in which the desired and proper con- clusion works out makes up the bulk of the production. Elinor Fair and Albert Ray in VAGABOND LUCK Five-part comedy-drama; Fox. Directed by Scott Dunlap. Published in November. OPINION : "Vagabond Luck" is a play that will appeal to all audiences, irre- spective of age or class. It is a racing story with just enough thrills to make every moment spent in seeing it a mo- ment of real interest. The theme of the narrative is by no means a new one, but it is one that never grows old. And the stars fit so well into the characters assigned them that the average viewer is likely to forget that it is a picture and go every step of the way with the actors. The background is picturesque and the settings well chosen. Likewise hav the supporting players been selected with care and intelligent appreciation of the story demands. The work of the camrea man in filming the racing scenes merits special mention. There are scenes of both humorous and pathetic appeal, and scenes in which the two are blended, as in the case of the man who wins thirty dollars upon the race by staking his last dollar against the heavy odds. All of which makes for good entertainment. The effectuality of the Fox racing dramas has been tested and found true. This one, like the others, may be billed with especial stress laid upon that ele- ment of the production with success. SYNOPSIS : Joy Bell, at her father's death, is left with a small country home and a broken down race horse. In order to support herself and keep the home at all she has been compelled to teach music. Harry, her worthless brother, has become entangled in financial diffi- culties and is hard pressed for money. He conceives the idea of entering Vaga- bond in a selling race and mortgages the old home. Having been framed by a group of race track touts he believes that Vagabond will win and so places all the money he can command on this race. When Joy learns of it she talks it over with Jimmie Driscoll, an ex- jockey who is a pal of her own, and they take Vagabond for a try-out. Dur- ing this experiment they find that the horse goes great on a wet track but on a dry track has no chance. Jimmie hav- ing heard that if you prayed hard enough for a thing you might get it, takes Joy to the church and. asks the parson to pray with them for rain. Their prayer was answered and the rain came down in torrents. The race touts who had framed Harry knowing of Vagabond's work on a wet track, try to bribe the jockey but Jimmie overhears their talk and just before the race takes the jockey's place. As a result Vagabond wins the race, Harry wins the money and Jimmie wins Joy's love. Thus the way was cleared for a happy ending. J. Warren Kerrigan in THE LORD LOVES THE IRISH Five-part comedy; Rcbt. Brunton. Directed by Ernest Warde. Published by Hodkinson. OPINION : There are few communi- ties in America where the mention of Ireland or anything pertaining thereto in a title does not result in goodly box office figures during the showing of the attraction. Probably no other nation- ality is so enthusiastically, inclined to- ward anything which bears the mark of their native soil. The Irish policeman, which is the role assigned J. Warren Kerrigan in this pro- duction, is almost a national figure. He may be good-ntauredly made the butt of jest and jibe, but he is as cordially liked as he is punned and lambasted. Kerrigan is an Irish name. The title of the play stamps the picture as it should be stamped. And the play lives up to the promise of both. The action begins upon the Ould Sod and ends with the native son thoroughly Americanized and well on the way to prosperity. The action involves numerous humor- ous incidents and just enough of the other variety to give these point. The story is not remarkably original, but has been handled in a manner befitting the subject and intelligently. The Irish- American audience, and the general public with -slightly less enthusiasm, should accord the picture a desirable welcome. SYNOPSIS: Miles Machree, who has grown to manhood in Ireland, first feels the call of America after the visit of Sheila Lynch, an American girl who wins his romantic heart at sight. Fol- lowing her return to the United States Miles seizes the first opportunity to come to Xew York, where he obtains employment, because of his size and build, upon the police force. His work soon involves the capture of a band of counterfeiters whose work has precipi- tated a near crisis in financial circles. In detecting the guilt of Allyn Dexter, the leader of the gang, he discloses to Sheila, who is Dexter's fiancee, the man's true character. The natural ending is not far in the future as the picture closes. 71 EXHIBITORS HERALD William Russell in EASTWARD HO Five-part comedy-drama; Fox. Directed by Lynn F. Reynolds. Published in November. OPINION : A clever combining of drama and comedy, resulting in a narra- tive that interests by its dramatic strength while it amuses with its humor- ous incidents, "Eastward Ho" provides a thoroughly satisfactory vehicle for W illiam Russell. Beginning in the West, the West of cow men and open country, the action swings quickly to New York and the marts of trade, as well as the halls of the class who participate therein profit- ably but not too honorably. In both at- mospheres, the star, as he has demon- strated by past performance, is master of himself and whatever situations may be current. The plot revolves about a certain shady transaction in which the cow men of the West are "taken in" by Eastern capitalists, the star, in the character of Buck Lindsay, being sent to retrieve the funds lost and bring the culprits to jus- tice. That he does these things, inci- dentally doing the other and less strenu- A scene from "Eastward Ho," the William Fex feature starring William Russell. ous deeds called for in modern romantic comedy-drama, and does them well, will be the verdict of the public who sees the picture. It is good showmanship to give the public a glimpse of William Russell in attire other than chaps and somberero. It at once provides variety and discloses the star's versatility, both commendable services. The result should be the de- sired one. SYNOPSIS: Believing that they are ar- ranging for more satisfactory shipping service and mutually better business re- lations, a band of Western cattle dealers sign options with a railroad company, only to find that they have been deluded by Eastern capitalists and have signed away their right to choose their market. Buck Lindsay, trusted by all, is assigned to the work of going East and demand- ing a reckoning. His arrival in New York precedes numerous exciting adven- tures, among them the meeting of Bea- trice Whitford, daughter of one of the conspirators, and the attempts of Clarendon Bromfield, at the head of a gang of cut-throats, to dispose of the unwelcome Westerner. With this set- ting of circumstances, those who have followed the William Russell produc- tions should have little difficulty in pic- turing the wholly satisfactory conclu- sion. THE FOREIGN SITUATION (Continued from page 47) tieing his money up in a picture from which there is no hope of any return for more than a year. "It will be apparent, therefore, that save rare exceptions, the only pictures which can be disposed of profitably in the English market today are those which are part of a series, for which the English distributor can contract in advance, and which the English dis- tributor can market in such a manner as will make it possible for him to ob- tain credit against his investment and contracts, or cash advances from ex- hibitors themselves on account of their contracts for the series. "Another element enters into the situation in England today. That is the growing popularity of the British- made productions, with their local ap- peal and favorites. While I believe it will be some time before English films reach the standard of excellence attained by our productions, it is nevertheless true that with the resumption of pro- ducing activities in England on the scale which has recently been started, the superior merit of American pictures at the present time, is likely to be greatly offset by the national appeal of British pictures. After having seen some of the better of the recent British pic- tures, I am more than ever of the belief, expressed several times during the war, that the American producers who realize any substantial return from England, will, in the future, be only those who make considerably better than average pictures. France in Bad Fix "Serious as conditions are in England, however, they are much worse in France and in other territories of the continent which were involved in the war. Ex- change rates and money values are in a far more precarious state in France than in England, with far less hope that they will get better. The French distributor with long time contracts for American pictures is in a desperate position. Be- cause of the excessive exchange rates, he is losing money on every film which he receives, and it is only a question of how soon he will go to the wall, un- less the American exporter evolves some method of relieving the situation for him. "This, of course, will have to be, done, but on the other hand there are many exporters, not in a position to arrange such international banking facilities that will permit them to co-operate in the way that is necessary. It means financ- ing of a very big order. Many failures, therefore, are sure to result to exporters and importers both here and abroad who are unable to meet this situation unless the American government devises some means of getting behind this .foreign credit question, which thus far it seems to have shown no inclination to do. 72 SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO "On the other hand, new ter- ritories, created out of the war, are opening up to the American distributor, but unfortunately they are also more of a liability than an asset, since their money has little cash value at present, For instance, film sold today to Czecho- slovak, at $1.00 a foot, would actually return to the exporter about ten cents a foot. "After going over the war-torn terri- tory of these countries, I am satisfied that it is going to be a long time be- fore these conditions can be remedied, and that it is up to us in this country to face this fact, and adjust our affairs ac- cordingly. Regardless of money rates, or anything else, conditions cannot re- turn to normal until theatres are built in which pictures can be shown, and this will not be for a long time to come, as for several years hence, the peoples of these devastated countries will be occupied with providing housing accom- modations, rather than with building theatres. This is the prime necessity. France, for instance, at the present time is giving no thought to such construc- tion whatever, despite the fact that throughout that country there are less than one thousand moving picture houses. New Methods Necessary "In the light of these conditions, no time should be lost by the industry in this country in readjusting its methods of dealing with the foreign markets. Only big pictures must be sent abroad, without a serious loss to all interests involved, and arrangements must be made to adapt our operations to the financial requirements of our foreign customers, unless America is to sacri- fice the tremendous advantage which it now possesses in the film market of the world." Texas Guinan Signed By Bull's Eye Company Texas Guinan, extensively exploited as the "female Bill Hart," will be featured in a new series of two-reel western pho- to-dramas to be produced and published by the Bull's-Eye Film Corporation. Al- though Miss Guinan will leave New York for Los Angeles at once, the first new Bull's-Eye Texas Guinan pictures will not be published until January. SPOTS Why do you darken your theatre? Is it because the "daylight" pictures which were so widely experimented with and so earn- estly desired a few years ago are impractical? In a sense, that is the reason. They are impractical. But not because of the generally ac- cepted reason — not because motion pictures cannot be screened as well with a lighted auditorium as a darkened one. The set-in screen and the indirect illuminant make daylight pictures possible. And the better pictures, the pictures that mark screen epochs, can be thus shown with complete success. It is the "every day" photoplay that must be shown in a dark theatre. Attention must be forced to the screen, held there, because it can be fixed upon no other object with comfort, ii the play is to make a satisfactory impression. That's why you darken your theatre. That's why "spot" advertisements are good advertisements. We admit that we are a little tardy in taking up the subject of spot advertising. We would like to have been able to father the idea. But spot advertising appeared be- fore the Exhibitors Bureau was in- augurated, before motion picture advertising was known, so the most that we can do, or could have done at any time, is to point out the good points involved and encourage its use. That is worthy of space. To begin at the beginning Circus Stuff Spot advertising is essentially "circus stuff." Like the advertise- ments used by circuses, big or little, its first object is the gaining of at- The spot that enabled "The Miracle Man" to dominate the theatre adver- tisement pages of the nation. tention. It might be added that the same is the first object of all good advertisements. To reiterate a stale but important statement — no selling argument, no matter how well worded or effec- tive, can bring money into the box office if it isn't read. And if it is placed in a layout that doesn't get attention, reading, it isn't going to be read. The weak point in present-day newspaper advertising for motion picture theatres is the manner in which the bulk of it is laid out. Everyone appreciates the impor- tance of good copy. It is appre- ciated so keenly that the majority of exhibitor advertisers center upon that phase of their work to the loss of other and equally essential phases. Without for a moment letting up in the effort to produce good copy, copy that convinces and sells, work and study should be put upon the matter of good layouts. Attract Attention And the first duty of a layout is to attract attention. We are presenting herewith six spots that have been offered the ex- hibitor advertiser by producers and distributors and used extensively and with excellent results. Two of them are a bit too new to have ac- tually demonstrated their worth, but there can be no question of their effectuality. Perhaps the best known of them all is the "Miracle Man" black circle. At least it is the one that may best be used for purposes of in- tensive study. It has served its purpose well. It is said that Chicago playing dates required more prints of this picture than ever have been needed for another single production. No canvass has been made to ascertain the truth of the statement, but a following of the Chicago newspaper pages lends it strength. During the active life of the production the Hand drawn lettering and a border gives strength to the spot used for "When Bearcat Went Dry." 73 EXHIBITORS HERALD how great a percentage of the city's theatres it was occupying. "Hearts of the World" did not profits so greatly by its spot. The spot was as good. But it wasn't adopted by the majority of exhibi- tors. There seems to have been no definite reason for its neglect. It simply was neglected. Yet in the An illustrative spot extensively used in exploiting "Hearts of the World." photoplay calendars were thickly dotted with the well known white and black title circle. No reader had difficulty in learning where the picture was playing. More effort was required to find a theatre within reaching distance where it was not playing. The Spot Did It Naturally, those who had not read or heard of the picture in- quired of acquaintances who had as to the nature of the thing. It was a foregone conclusion that a pic- ture which "blanketed the town" must be important. But The spot did it. Had every theatre playing the production devised its own display, drawing its own illustration and copy, no one would have known An augmented spot offered exhibitors playing "A Regular Girl," an elabora- tion upon the original spot idea. cases where it was used it drew the eye of every reader who turned to the page. "When Bearcat Went Dry" was advertised with a spot intrinsically better than that of "The Miracle Man." The lettering was hand drawn. And the border of the spot gave it the appearance of depth. New Spots The spots supplied for exhibitors playing "Mind the Paint Girl" and "A Regular Girl," both pictures too young to have box office his- tory, open up a field for thought. A spot that supplies all the essential in- formation pertaining to the picture represented. It fits well into practic- ally any size or style of advertisement. The California theatre, Los Angeles, is always assured of its advertisements being read, by reason of this "spot" title. They are both augmentations of the original. They may succeed. They may fail. They will be worth watching. The last specimen we have re- produced is particularly worthy of 74 your attention. The California Theatre, Los Angeles, uses it as a title slug. The advisability of such a course is obvious. But a few of the productions of- fered are supplied with character- istic spots. And it is equally ob- vious that spots used for every pic- ture will soon lose their value. By using the theatre title slug in any and all displays for any and all pictures the exhibitor is assured that his advertisement is going to draw the attention of every reader that turns to that page of the paper. This assurance is certainly worth the slight effort involved in the making up of a title design that will bring it. Riviera Ad Stresses Presentation Feature Diamond connoisseurs prefer to view a collection of gems unset and against an unfavorable back- ground. .Gold or platinum settings mean little to the initiated. But diamonds are not displayed in jewelers' windows or show cases for connoisseurs. Nor should pic- tures be exhibited for the picture connoisseur, for there are not enough of him to support a theatre. The Riveria theatre, Chicago, in of- fering to the public the Screen Classics production featuring Bert Lytell, "Lom- bards Ltd.," went to extraordinary lengths to provide a setting which would appeal as strongly as the pic- ture itself. They carried that presen- tation into their advertisements, one of which, three columns in width in the original, is reproduced herewith. The picture, as all who read must know, has to do with the proprietor of a ladies' tailoring establishment. The action is laid almost entirely in the chief character's place of business. Models wearing the star's creations figure prominently in the play. It offered an excellent opportunity for a style show as a presentation meas- ure. Numerous exhibitors who played the picture took advantage of the op- portunity. But few thought to make that presentation a feature of their ad- vertising. In the display here shown the man- agement has accomplished a double pur- pose. In addition to calling especial atten- tion to the style show which was to be given, a performance which, when the clientele of the Riveria is taken into consideration, was certain to be of high class and in the best of taste, the whole enterprise was brought to attention of readers who do not usually read the amusement advertisements. The display was run upon a page foreign to the amusement calendar. It was made up in the general style of Marshall Field and other prominent Chi- cago advertisers whose goods are of similar nature. There was nothing about it typical of the theatre adver- tisement as it has come to be recog- nized. EXHIBITORS HERALD Exhibiting Miladv'a Finerr of By- gone Dayj, and Her Modern Cre- Living Beauties \ n Elaborate and Novel Revue Presmied *jjh Exquisite Music — GncefU and Radiant with Color, in Arti»lie Accord with the Tenor of This Week's AllratlioD BERT LYTELL APA TEMPERAMENTAL ITALIAN /V009TE Lombardi Ltd. From (he H^tton'? 9tQ$& SWeSry Riviera Policy r, - o«i i1 - Spirit MACK SEWCTTS MIRTH FIX CLASSIC A Funnier TriTt,i, than ■Hack Tom W.dioui a Cabin" Shenandoah vs. Salome Acted by All the Senaett Stars Including Ben Turpin, Charlie Mumy and Ford Sterling. The Riveria theatre, Chicago, used this three-column display to advertise the fashion show which was a feature of the presentation given "Lombardi Ltd." The combined effect must have been to increase business "greatly. The reg- u'ar picture fan, of course, must have read the display with more than usual attention because of its unusual posi- tion. He must have reasoned that the performance was more than ordinarily worthy of his attendance. The addi- tional revenue gained from the adver- tisement because of its unusual posi- tion and style must have been consid- erable. Kinema Ad Associates Photoplay With Novel The picture-novel association has become so close, by reason of the great increase in the number of picturizations being made that the smallest book dealer and the small- est exhibitor have learned to appre- ciate the advantage of close harmony in exploiting their wares. Book store window displays have become so common as to have lost a great deal of their efficacy. Wherefore, a sub- stitute is welcome. That very desirable thing is offered by the Kinema theatre, Fresno, Calif., in the five-column advertisement here reproduced in greatly reduced propor- tions. "The Career of Katherinc Bush," when it appeared in book form, follow- ing its serial publication in a national magazine, created considerable com- ment. Elinor Glyn's most prominent work, "Three Weeks" had not yet faded materially from memory. The result was a wide reading of her next story. The Kinema management, realizing that considerable time had elapsed be- tween the publication of the book and the appearance of the play, took the pictured measures to bring sharply to memory the fact that the story, "The Career of Katherine Bush," was from the pen of the widely discussed English novelist. To further impress the public with just the sort of play that was being ex- T\ J _ ._ v TKurs.Fri. IO& ay -and Sat An illustration that effects a close con- nection between novel and picturiza- tion used in five-column width by the Kinema theatre, Fresno, Calif. hibited, the characters, as they are pic- tured stepping out of the book, are given lines to speak, the speaking of which stamps them at once as Elinor (Jlyn characters. Xow there is a great percentage of people in any gathering who will be attracted by fiction, book or screen, of the type for which Elinor Glyn is known. It was to this element that the Kinema management directed its appeal. If there was a better way of pointing that appeal to the desired class it has not been revealed in sim- ilar contemporary advertising. The device, aside from its use in this instance, is a serviceable and adapt- able one. It is also a stock layout that may easily be readjusted to suit any of the numerous picturizations of well- known novels that are current. Next time you are playing one of these and experience that feeling of doubt as to just what is the best form in which to print your advertisement, call on your artist, show him this re- production, and tell him to make up a display after the same general design. It will work out to your complete sat- isfaction. 75 Workmanship Wins Over Stock Shortage Every week we try to include in this department at least one repro- duction which shows, or seems to show, as we are not always def- initely informed, how an exhibitor made up an attractive and service- able advertisement without dipping deeply into the press book fur- nished by the producer or employ- ing an artist. There are occasions in every exhibitor's experience when he is called upon to do just that thing. This week we have chosen for the pur- pose the three-column display used by the Liberty theatre, Tacoma, Wash., and reproduced herewith. It may or may not have been made up because of a shortage of mats or cuts from the ex- change. But the effect, as an example of what can be done in such an emer- gency, serves well. "The Speed Maniac," to our knowl- edge, was well supplied with still photo- graphs and advertising layouts by the press material furnished. The news- paper representation that resulted has gained considerable publicity in this de- partment. But few of the compositions taken wholly or in part from the press book furnished by the Fox Film Corp. exceed in practical value this design, made of materials that may be found in any printing establishment, the one sup- plied item being the small .illustration which forms the optic center. Vomtm The Man Who Never Fakes a Stuut IS Action I in town Suspense "THE SPEED MANIAC" A PLAY OF DAREDEVIL DEEDS IN PURSUIT OF LOVE —Now Playing at the— I IRIDTV 9th at LIDLSAl I Pacific Ave. First Theater From Ninth Street Last One From-llth Street Home ot First Ron Fox Feature Plays SUNSHINE COMEDY L FORD EDUCATION A A single still from the press book, set in a display composed of stock ma- terial, makes up this attractive three- column advertisement used by the Lib- erty theatre, Tacoma, Wash. EXHIBITORS HERALD Tacoma Advertiser Buys Big Space For Ads That Bring Big Business Charles R. Roediger, who writes the advertisements used by the four Jen- sen-Von Herberg theatres in Tacoma, Wash., the Rialto, Colonial, Strand and Victory, is an advertising man with a definite policy, a policy that is adhered to and brings results. It must be a good one. Therefore, it must be worth study- ing. In a recent communication Mr. Roed- iger states, "We believe in advertising — and I think you'll say the same after watching the space we use — and conse- quently we devote some effort to ob- taining returns on the money we spend. Enclosed are four ads I used last Sun- day in the Tacoma Ledger. Probably the one on 'The Thirteenth Chair' will interest you because ads on this feature have been the cause of more or less comment." We are interested in the ad men- tioned. More than that — we are interested in all of them. Three of them we have re- produced herewith. All were four col- umns wide in the original and of cor- responding height. Together they give a very clear idea of the sort of work Mr. Roediger does. It is good work. The theatre title slugs, it may be no- •TARTS TODAY ticed, are all very much alike. The general design is similar in every case. And it is a good design. It may be read quickly at a distance or at close range. And the similarity serves to inform the reading public, without put- ting it in so many words, that the four theatres are under a single management, always a circumstance which should be made known. Of the three displays reproduced the one used for "Romance and Arabella" is pictorially the best. It represents the new and better school of motion pic- thlTSETH thi TI6E1 .a* 1,'loDl „( Artenn Lupin. Hit tha **a*a at a tlgart And An la,ed b, a grenl cost. Including Dn*ld Paw. It. A*,rtla A DETECTIVE STORY A particularly artistic four-column dis- play designed by Chas. R. Roediger for the Colonial theatre, Tacoma, Wash. A four-column display used in behalf of the Strand, showing how Mr. Roe- diger, the designer, utilizes press book material. ture advertising which is slowly but surely coming into prominence. It might be well to refer to S. Barrett McCormick's advertisements of Kath- erine MacDonald on page 85 of the Exhibitors Herald for December 6. The similarity is striking. And the style represented should be adopted. The other two displays are less dis- tinctive, but they are good "business" ads. They are good, aiso, as examples Roediger's method of advertising a pic- ture in which no popular star is fea- tured is illustrated in this four-column display made up for Jensen-Von Her- berg's Victory theatre, Tacoma. of the work of the man in question, a man whose advertisements have kept the Jensen-Von Herberg in the fore- front of Tacoma theatredom. Mr. Roediger does not skimp on space or material. And the men who fills four columns of the depth that is used for the Jensen-Von Herberg advertise- ments, is confronted with no small task. But the important point made by Mr. Roediger lies in his statements of policy. It is very near the policy that should actuate all members of the exhibiting body. The buying of large space is impor- tant. For in buying large space ample opportunity for improvement is as- sured. And improvement should be, must be, manifested constantly by the whole business of motion picture ad- vertising. Improvement is something more than desirable. It is essential. For that which does not go ahead loses ground. There is no such thing as re- maining stationary. The other point, that of getting re- turns from the space, is the measure nec- essary to the complete success of the big space program. It is necessary that an effort be made to induce the space used to bring in bigger returns and thus permit the buying of still bigger space. Thus, by the space, in effect, paying for itself, will the national newspapers _ in time be made to bulge with motion picture advertisements. When the papers have been forced to devote more than one or two pages 76 EXHIBITORS HERALD THREE lobby photographs that draw attention to the styles of decoration represented as well as to the whole subject of lobby trimming. Left — the cut-out and poster system is employed at Gordon's Schollay Square Olympic, Boston, Mass. Center — the entrance to the foyer utilized at the Alhambra, Milwaukee. Right — the Sun theatre, Omaha, Neb., has prac- tically rebuilt its lobby for the engagement of "The Right to Happiness." There are good arguments for each of the methods represented. These should be digested by exhibitors who believe in lobby decoration. And exhibitors who do not believe in the practice should give the matter serious consideration. to the motion picture industry of the town or city, a corresponding amount of space will be devoted to that same in the news columns. And when the population of a city, a town, or, as will be the case eventually, a nation, is bom- barded daily with a mass of matter having to do with a certain thing, that thing is bound to assume a standing of great importance in popular estimation. Higher admissions, better pictures, bigger theatres, longer shows, all the desirable things that are being worked for by the leaders of the .exhibiting members of the industry will become actualities, instead of half-hearted prob- abilities. The policy used by Charles R. Roed- iger is a good one to adopt. What Wovld You Do? If you were a citizen of Dallas, Texas, where this stunt was staged, and you happened to be on the street the morn- ing that the fire department made a run to a certain theatre and threw up lad- ders as though to head off a conflagra- tion— And you had followed, as you doubt- less would have followed when you heard the boys hired for the occasion shouting that the theatre was on fire, — And you waited to see the smoke pour out of the roof or the flames burst from the windows — What would be your impulse when a ■man in fireman's garb appeared upon the roof with a megaphone and an- nounced that a certain star was to ap- pear that day in a certain picture? Would you rush over and buy a ticket ? Report has is that a great many people followed the fire wagon and bought tickets. There is no report to the contrary. But the question presents itself. And it is the question which every exhibitor should ask himself when he plans an exploitation stunt. t ( This Decorated Lobby Business" Perplexing Exhibitor's Problem "This decorated lobby business," as the practice of trimming the theatre lobby especially to suit current attrac- tions is referred to by a surprising percentage of American exhibitors, is a doubly perplexing problem. In the first place, it is perplexing. One needs but to circulate among the exhibitors of any city or town, mention- ing the matter at random, to find that this is true. The second phase that is difficult to fathom has to do with the reason, the combination of circum- stances that has given rise 'to such a state of affairs. A few words, then, may be well de- voted to an attempt to clear up the inexplicable clouds that seem to en- velope the whole matter. By way of illustration, and becau>e they are highly worthy of reproduc- tion, we have accompanied this digest with a series of lobby photographs se- lected from a great number that have reached this department. They rep- resent the three most common methods of decorating theatre lobbies. On the left of the strip may be seen the display made up for Gordon's Schol- lay Square Olympia theatre, Boston. Mass. Paper and cut-outs have been used. The effect gained is obvious. The second photograph is that of the Alhambra theatre, Milwaukee, during the run of "Back to God's Country." Some weeks ago we reproduced a very sim- ilar display from the same theatre used in behalf of "Burglar by Proxy." We include this one as an example of the system represented, the placing of a not overly remarkable stand of paper in the space where it will have its chief effect upon patrons immediately pas- sing into the theatre. The last photograph, that of the Sun theatre, Omaha, shows a lobby almost 77 rebuilt to suit the occasion. Here great pains have been gone to. The results speak for themselves. Of the three, of course, it is a mat- ter of individual opinion as to which is the more powerful, which is the logical one to use. It is not the purpose of this article to discriminate. It is the purpose of this article to seek to drive home the point that some sort of a lobby display, the style is of less importance, is desirable. A permanent policy, involving a lobby display for each and every picture ex- hibited is not altogether satisfactory. Too soon the specially trimmed theatre front comes to be an expected thing. As soon as it is it becomes matter-of- course, obviously, it loses its greatest merit. The occasional display is the ideal system. It should be used to impress the passer-by with the importance of attrac- tions that really are important. Here, perhaps, lies the reason for the popular belief that a lobby display is a rather nice thing to have, that its construction is an entertaining way to pass an idle half day, but that it is no real business-getter. The play exploited with a special lobby should always be a play worthy of the display. Care that such should be the case has not always been exer- cised in the past. Too often has great stir, involving lobby decorations, been made in behalf of a picture unworthy. It is not strange that exhibitors who have thus used the device cannot now see the importance of the measure. It is an important measure. Every attraction that is worthy of it should be equipped with the best lobby trimming that can be improvised. Every- one that is not should be exhibited in the standard manner. Much might be said about each of the lobbies here reproduced. But they tell their own stories. Readers should take those stories, weigh them, and make their choice. And they should formu- late a definite policy regarding the sub- ject of lobby decoration to be strictly adhered to. EXHIBITORS HERALD "SALOME. Vs, SHENANDOAH" Produced by MACK SENNETT With BEN TURPIN DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAM Star -fa ff gaff #*r, Ay J \7Ae Qmerican Qeautv All This Week Commencing Today Circle lS !^'-J;J *££iHRINE OF TME SILENT ART S BARRETT McCORMICK, managing director of the Circle theatre, Indianapolis, believes that the comedy which is strong • enough to be featured at the expense of the more bulky attraction on the program may be better used to .augment the ap- peal of a play which is, in itself, deserving of feature presentation. Here he has used the device in introducing a new star to Cir- cle patrons. Feature- Comedy Compromise Seen In McCormick Exploitation Plan S. Barrett McCormick, whose list of "firsts" in motion picture exploitation and theatre management is second to that of no exhibitor in America, did not score another first in the matter of fea- turing a two-reel comedy. Which is no reflection upon his showmanship. What is a reflection upon his show- manship, and upon his sportsmanship as well, is the manner in which he has re- ceived the suggestion and acted upon it. It's a pleasant reflection. There seems to have been good rea- son why Mr. McCormick did not stage the first "comedy feature" performance. It is certain that he thought of it in time to have achieved that distinction. For the suggestion had been made main- times before it was adopted. And al- ways there was a thin line dividing the desirable and undesirable features of the proposition. The managing director of the Circle was one who thought the odds were against the success of the custom. But the sportsmanship which we spoke of above, and with it is closely allied keen business insight, is evidenced in the half-page Circle advertisement which we reproduce herewith. It shows the man's readiness to try out a plan reported to have succeeded for an- other. That is both sportsmanship and business-ship. Mr. McCormick apparently went about the trying out of the plan with charac- teristic thoroughness. Last week we had the pleasure of reproducing two of the advance displays used to acquaint the people of Indianapolis with the com- ing of the new First National star, Katherine MacDonald. in her first star- ring vehicle, "The Thunderbolt." We criticised them as advance displays only. They were exceedingly worthy. Herewith we reproduce the half-page used during the run of the picture, and it sheds light upon the scheme as a whole. With the way thus prepared by one of the best advance campaigns that have been recorded, the picture was an- nounced in a spread in which it shared space equally with "Shenandoah vs. Salome," Mack Sennett's recent two- reel comedy which has been extensively used for fetaure purposes. Mr. McCormick's reasoning must have been something like this: "If a comedy is worth featuring — if it is strong enough to draw as much patronage as a feature attraction — it must follow that the plan, as practiced, is a feasible one. But why wouldn't the same feature, run with a picture of fea- ture length and of equal merit, be doubly valuable both as a performance and as 78 an advertising factor? And what better purpose could it serve than to introduce a new star, a thing which is at all times and under any circumstances fraught with certain dangers?" A compromise? Perhaps. But a compromise based upon good business sense and altogether logical. An expansion, rather, of the original plan. And a well advised one. The point has been made in this de- partment that history only can record the ultimate success or failure of the plan. There is excellent basis for the argument that it will not prove a per- manent success. In that event, which it is hoped for the benefit of all will not occur, it is obviously better to be situ- ated as Mr. McCormick is situated than otherwise. All things considered, it is safe to say that the Circle system is, at least until the practicability of the feature-comedy policy, has been firmly established, the wise one to use. And there will be many, perhaps a majority, to pronounce it a valuable improvement upon the original. Goldywn Gleams Published by the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, for the Pacific Northwest, Goldzvyn Gleams, a four-page newspaper published at the Seattle exchange of that EXHIBITORS HERALD organization, has made its initial ap- pearance. Its contents are limited to Goldwyn news, business notes of the district, little magazine features and service sug- gestions. The idea is good. The placing of exploitation managers in exchanges for the purpose of aiding exhibitors in putting over their pictures was a worthy step. The publishing of a house organ at each exchange is the next logical step. This is the first in- stance of the sort that has come to at- tention. There should be more of them. Theatres Share Space In Augmented Appeal Cooperation is the watchword of the business world of today. The firm that has it in great measure, or practices it in dealings with such other organizations as it has to do with, is the firm that forges ahead. And cooperation in advertising, no less than in any other field of en- deavor, brings results. Paul Gusdanovic, operating the Strand and New Orpheum theatres, Cleveland, O., is a man who realizes the value of cooperation. The half page advertise- ment which he used during the engage- ment of "Eyes of Youth," the Equity Pictures production featuring Clara Kimball Young, at both of his houses, shows how this appreciation of the power of cooperation was made to work for the betterment of both box-offices. A management less progressive might have reasoned, with what appeared to be excellent logic, that the more "Eyes of Youth" advertisements that could be caused to appear simultaneously in the Cleveland newspapers the greater the importance which would be naturally attached to the production. Were the theatres independently owned and man- aged, such a course of procedure would have been the natural one and would have operated as outlined. That the advertisement, double in size the space that would ordinarily have been used, is something more than doubly powerful is at once evident. There should be more half page ad- vertisements. There should be more full page advertisements. Every effort that can be made should be brought to bear upon the enlarging of the theatre advertisement. Big displays create big results. There is no getting around that conclusion. And they pay for themselves as easily as small displays, bringing, at the same time, into the box office, an increased revenue which results in an increased profit. Men who own more than one theatre, and own them in such locations as will permit them to play the same attraction at all the theatres simultaneously, are particularly well situated to give theatre advertising the stimulus as to size that it needs. Their example will be fol- lowed. It will have to be followed. They should always set that example. Campaign Book Layout Achieves Its Purpose Among the thankless occupations that engage the great majority of workers in an age of intensified labor and lightning progress must be listed the writing of press books for motion pictures. It would be difficult to estimate the number of persons engaged in preparing for the exhibitor the layouts, press stories and suggestions which are offered to him daily. The fingers of one hand could be used to designate those of that number who have re- ceived recognition. A layout that should have won its author at least an increase in salary, though in all probability its designing passed as a minor incident in the daily A four-column display from the Ameri- can theatre, Bellingham, Wash., built upon a press book design of the best quality. routine, is that offered in the Paramount- Artcraft press book published in connec- tion with "Girls," Marguerite Clark's re- cent production for that company. The picture was published on June 29, 1919. It gained rather wide circulation. And every exhibitor who played it adver- tised it. It is a matter of interest that nine out of ten "Girls" advertisements that have been sent to this department for criticism have been built upon the layout in question. The repetition is responsible for the reproduction at this time of the four- column advertisement composed almost entirely of the layout that was used by the American theatre, Bellingham. Wash. It is better than some displays for which the layout has been respon- sible. It is not so good as others. Average about describes it. But the display is the thing. Pictorially, it is attractive. It is also pictorially informative. The bare de- sign, free of copy, would give a very comprehensive idea of the general char- acter of the picture. As for the practicality of the thing — note the space for house copy that has been provided. The insertion here of such matter as thought advisable, the addition of the theatre title slug at the top or at the bottom, and the layout is ready for the printer. That is real service. Exhibitors have appreciated it — as is shown by the ex- tensive use to which the design has been put. There should be more campaign book layouts of the kind. Encouragement will produce them. Let's all pass along the necessary good word when it is de- served. Orpheum Urtinif lime* in oidrr to truly enjoy a perform- •THE MIRACLE MAN" Starts at 1:00. 3:00. 5:00, 7:00, 8:15, 10:15 81 EXHIBITORS HERALD OH BOY. - OH BOY! Onc-tUtf Off "~ BEHTHA STEVENSON'S Hat SWfiw A Man OH BOY! One of the co-operative pages with which B. G. Hall, of the Princess theatre, Kirksville, Mo., drew, one third of that town's population to his theatre in one evening fits of this kind of advertising. They all bought space. "The same scheme can be worked in any town to great success, and I think my fellow exhibitors should know about it. The picture pleased every one and got a great many laughs. We charged 25c straight and had no kicks. "I also had about twenty slides and run them every night in our theatre. People asked 'What is this Oh, Boy? Is it just an advertising scheme, or is it musical comedy?' We told them they would find out when Thursday's paper came out. "We did capacity business for three shows and were well pleased with the way the picture went over. "I would like to see this in the Exhibitors Herald, as I know it is a* great stunt and will get the business for any theatre. Our town has only six thousand population and we had two thousand of them in three shows at a seating capacity of six hundred and eighty seats." Yours truly, B. G. Hall, Adv Mgr.. Princess Theatre, Kirksville, Mo. ment used by this theatre on behalf of "The Perfect Lover," reproduced here- with, is testimony to that effect As it appeared, upon a page devoted almost entirely to motion picture adver- tising, many designs of larger dimen- sion and more pretentious composition, it drew first attention of four readers asked to glance over the page. That is pretty good testimony as to its attrac- tion power. Its intrinsic value, as a selling agent for theatre admissions, is a matter of opinion. It reveals nothing startling in the way of unique or original copy. The pictorial aspect of the design is the striking point. And this has been sim- ply gained. By suiting border to content, drawn type to straight type, combining the whole to harmonious effect, the thing has been accomplished. New Rialto advertising is good adver- tising. It is especially well fitted for the work it has to do in a city like Cleveland, where motion picture adver- tising is developed to a high state and space is used lavishly. Exhibitors simi- larly placed, particularly, should watch it. /RIALTO W.2S14 rveeo- Lorain. WEST SIDE'S FINEST SUNDAY and MONDAY XZNOQN TO llPl\CONT. SU/JDAY EUGENE; IOBRIEN Tilt PERFECT LOVER Fay Tincher comedy, "Dangerous Nan McGrew." Added Attraction shown Matinee Only — Mack Swain ip "Daddy Ambrose." Today— 11 A. M. and 11 P. M. Continuous JACK PICKFORD in "Burglar, by Proxy" RIALTO COMCERT ORCHESTRA A two-column display which dominated the page of theatre advertisements upon which it appeared for the New Rialto theatre, Cleveland. Exhibitor's Drawings Advertising Feature New Rialto Ad Style Wins Page Prestige The man who stands out from the crowd is not always the man en- titled to the place of prominence. Brighter men, abler men, may fre- quently be found in the outer fringe of the gathering. But the man upon whom attention centers is, whatever else he may be, the best advertiser in the crowd. And it is with adver- tising that we are concerned. The New Rialto theatre, Cleveland, O., must not be looked upon, by reason of the above, as an organization that is only an advertiser. The comparison was used merely as an analogy, as an intro- duction. But the New Rialto is a good advertiser. The two-column advertisc- "Jack of all trades and master of none" certainly does not apply to H. A. Albright, manager of the American theatre, Butte. Montana. Readers who have followed his activities as recorded in these col- umns from time to time need not have this fact impressed upon them. But it hasn't been disclosed, to date, that Mr. Albright, in addition to being a progressive exhibitor and advertiser, is an artist whose work compares favorably with any ap- pearing in motion picture advertise- ments of the day. It isn't possible, of course, for every exhibitor to draw his own advertise- ments. So an exception must be made in this case, and an advertisement re- produced, not for the usual purpose of 82 adoption, but for its interest as a strictly magazine feature. Not that there are not several good features in the four-column American advertisement here shown. There are. But they are the features that character- ize all of Mr. Albright's advertising. They have been treated at length in these columns. For the present, attention should be directed especially to the picture of Douglas Fairbanks, which tops the box of copy in the display. It is the work of H. A. Albright, the exhibitor, who paid for the space and composed the whole advertisement. Many a man with the same talent would desert the exhibition business for the studio or advertising agency. , Not so Mr. Albright. He began his career as a billboard advertiser, connected with the Thomas Cusack Company, whose boards are familiar to every American. The screen drew him. He got into the business when it was young. He has seen it grow and has grown with it. As the advertising phase of the motion picture theatre became more and more important, Mr. Albright became more and more the man for the place. It must be a pretty satisfactory feel- ing that is his as he lays out his cam- paigns for coming productions. He knows they will "work." For he knows that he can put them through himself, from the buying of the space to the drawing of the last telling detail of the designs. Banners and the like, of course, are child's play to him. "Pretty lucky,'' must be the comment of the exhibitor who reads this story. To which we add our echo. DOUG' FAIRBANKS "HJS MAJESTY THE AMERICAN" Month* of iiiii- and fortune* of money hnvc been used in thu) tremendou* production -resulting in not only the greatest picture Ooag" has ever mode, but one of the biggeU spectacle* ever made- Eight reel* of rapid-fire action- the acene* (hitting from New York to the Mex- ican border and then to Europe; 5,000 people in the cast — telling* a mile long -everything true in detail' BUT—mM (hi* would be uacles* without a REAL *t*r- and, im't Doug the star of stars? PATHE NEWS Pro*. MannikS Orchestra Parks at the Cant Wurhtter II You're Planning on Tomo-Ksws Mwtinte, Come Early? Doors Optn Promptly at II A lucky exhibitor is H. A. Albright, who can draw illustrations like the one here presented for his American theatre, Butte, Mont. Reproduction 1/16 ori- ginal size. EXHIUI T O R S HERALD Lots of space, good stills, a strong "spot" center and a little copy make up a power- ful six-column spread for the Knickerbocker theatre, Nashville, Tenn. Balance Gives Force To Nashville Display Man has two ways of impressing upon his hearers the importance of that which he has to say. He may whisper it confidingly or he may shout it with the emphasis of which he is capable and the lung power at his command. Both serve at times. But the latter method has come to be practised almost universally by advertisers. It is, they say, the more "forceful" method. That is the method used by the Knick- erbocker theatre, Nashville, Tenn., in the six-column advertisement for "The Right to Happiness," Dorothy Phillips' recent Universal-Jewel production, dur- ing its run at that playhouse. Yet there is a quiet dignity about the announcement, as may be seen in the re- duced reproduction presented herewith, that does away with the objection com- monly registered against the shouting method. Perhaps the reason for this apparent phenomenon lies in the excellent balance which has been maintained in the con- struction of the composition. The stills at right and left are different enough to win individual attention, yet similar enough to effectively weigh down their respective sides of the display. The heart used in the middle, probably em- ployed with a view to connecting the pic- ture in the public mind with "The Heart of Humanity," the star's last big produc- tion and a sensational success, provides the point without which no advertise- ment can hope to win a wide reading. To avoid any "top heavy" appearance that might have developed, the title and the star's name have been put in light drawn lettering of sufficient depth and size to lend to each of these the im- portant appearance required. All things considered, the layout is a highly commendable one. The means by which this effect has been gained deserve study. Unique Lay-Out Stunt Presents Policy Angle That which is new is not to be judged quickly and with assurance. The surprises that make business and especially the business of exhibiting motion pictures attractive, frequent- ly are not properly appraised at first sight. But the best service that a department of this kind can render is the pointing out of any and all new methods in advertising that pre- sent themselves. We are presenting herewith, in greatly diminished proportions, the five-column advertisement used by the Standard theatre, Cleveland, Ohio, during the run at that theatre of "Blind Husbands," Erich Stroheim's Universal-Jewel pro- duction. It presents' something new in advertising layouts. The placing of the star's head upon the body of a serpent, considering the type of the picture, is a commendable enterprise. The purpose of the star, in the play, is to make himself as cordially hated as it is possible for him to do. An advertisement of this nature, there- fore, is in line with the desired end. The marriage license, which is worked into the background, is also an effective item. But the newspaper clippings which have been inserted attract particular at- tention. Here is the innovation. In the reproduction it is doubtless dif- ficult to read even the headlines. In the original the whole contents could be read. It may be well, therefore, to list the stories as to character. They were clipped from various newspapers about the country, have nothing to do with the production being advertised, and bear date lines that stamp them of recent origin. One chronicles the sentencing of a convicted assasin as his baby plays hap- pily about the court room. Another states that a coroner is to investigate the death of a certain widow. In another a judge bars a lady's husband from his court room during the hearing of a rather indefinitely stated case. A smaller one is very similar, hi the upper right- hand corner of the clipping display a husband testifies that a strange man shot his wife. Below it a popular divorce case is reported to have at last come to trial. A desertion charge and a story to the effect that a series of fatal love tragedies is sweeping Germany as a consequence of the war, completes the list. Not a very savory list, certainly. But it may have served its purpose. It's a new trick. It will have to be tested be- fore its effect can be ascertained. What do you think about it? The Standard theatre, Cleveland, used this six-column display. Look it over closely. Read the accompanying di- gest— and form your own opinion. Feminine Star Signed For New "Tarzan" Film Evelyn Fariss, one of the younger film stars, has been engaged by Weiss brothers for the leading feminine role in "The Return of Tarzan," which it is announced will be filmed on a large and elaborate scale. Miss Fariss is already at work on the production, having made exteriors in Lakewood, N. J., and Jacksonville, Fla. With other members of the company, she will soon leave for Los Angeles, where the next two months will be spent in making the remainder of the ex- teriors. S3 EXHIBITORS HERALD TOM MIX DONS FROCK COAT AND STRING TIE Three scenes from "The Feud," the cowboy hero's , latest feature production, the action of which as the title suggests centers around a quarrel of two families. The story is by Charles Kenyon. The feature was staged by Edward J. Le Saint. Great Influence of Trade Paper With Exhibitors Proven in Test A reply to contentions he has heard that exhibitors do not read trade jour- nals is made this week by J. D. Wil- liams, manager of First National Exhi- tors' Circuit, who cites the number of responses from exhibitors that has re- sulted from the publication of a two- page advertisement two weeks ago, signed by the Exhibitors' Defense Com- mittee of the Circuit. "There are several important execu- tives in the film business," declares Mr. Williams, "who have repeatedly declared that trade journal advertising was, to a great extent, negligible in value because only a few exhibitors, comparatively, took the time or trouble to read it. "Within eight days after the trade papers containing the advertisement of the Exhibitors' Defense Committee had been mailed to subscribers we had re- ceived more than a thousand letters from exhibitors, requesting details. The rate of replies in the last {our days has been about two hundred a day. No cir- cular letters, no reproductions of the ad, and no direct communications of any character bearing on the ad, were sent to exhibitors other than the mem- bers of the circuit. This precludes any possibility that exhibitors could have seen the announcement anywhere ex- cepting in the trade journals. Replies from Film Papers "And a significant feature of the re- plies is that of the total number re- ceived wherein exhibitors specifically mention the trade organs in which they read the 'Warning' announcement, there is an average of twelve references to one or more of the five trade papers that are published exclusively in the in- terests of the film industry to one credit to publications that have only limited motion picture departments. "This is another evidence that the year-old beliefs of the exhibitor members of First National to the effect that ad- vertisers can reach their market through the five recognized trade journals with- out necessity of space in other mediums, is absolutely correct. Result Directly Traced "In making this statement I realize that the very nature of the 'Warning' advertisement commanded attention be- cause of the curiosity and interest it was certain to arouse. But the fact i*- that if the hundreds of exhibitors who have replied to this ad had not been reading the advertising sections of the trade papers they would not have seen that particular two page announcement." Prince of Wales Visits Recorded By Fox News Fox News claims to have the most complete pictorial record of the progress of the Prince of Wales during his visit to the United States. From the moment the democratic SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO 84 young heir to the throne of Great Brit- ain entered this country he was con- stantly in range of Fox News camera- men, so true is this that recorded in the film are many intimate peeps at the Prince and his party which it is said were secured by no other film producers. At every point of interest visited by his Royal Highness, at every public re- ception tendered by a city or other gov- ernment official; in fact, every time the Prince appeared in public, there also was a Fox News cameraman, and the com- bined result has been deftly woven into a screen travelogue dedicated to the Frince bv William Fox. "The Veiled Marriage" First Buel Production Frank G. Hall, president of Hallmark Pictures Corporation, announces that the title of Keanan Buel's first production for the Famous Directors' series is "The Veiled Marriage." "The Veiled Marriage" is a screen ver- sion of an original story by J. L. Burke and stars Anna Lehr, supported by Ralph Kel- lard, John Charles, Frank G. Murdock, Wil- liam Garr and Dorothy Walters. Miss Lehr has the role of Margaret Fal- lon, whose father has met with financial ruin. She meets an unscrupulous society youth and through his machinations she is deceived into marrying a man whom she does not know, but who, through a strange turn of events, proves to be the man she loves. Fitzgerald Comedy Dec. 14 The first of the series of two-reel comedies starring Cissy Fitzgerald will be published on December 14. United Picture Theatres of America announce that the title will be "Cissy's Economy" and that it provides Miss Fitzgerald with the sort of role that she has made fa- mous on the stage. Bomb Joins Nielan Marshall Neilan has appointed Willia H. Bomb, formerly studio manager fo the Famous Players-Lasky studio in Ne York, to act in the same capacity fo Neilan Productions. EXHIBITORS HERALD Latest Safety Appliances Being Installed at the Mayer Studio The last word in motion picture studio equipment has been added to the new $200,- 000 Louis B. Mayer studios, now under construction in Los Angeles. With the knowledge that many studios are not ac- tually meeting with the requirements of the law in regard to safety appliances the Mayer interests have secured the newest and best of electrical apparatus and safety appliances. R. E. Ross, head electrician, has installed a number of his own inventions, among them beins; externally operated interlock- ing switches, said to be absolutely "fool- proof." Powerhouse Well Equipped The powerhouse is being equipped with synchronizing motor generator sets with a capacity of six hundred kilowatts. Many studios are not fully equipped with such sets. The studio wiring is strictly up to the latest points and the entire studio will come up to the standards of safety de- manded by underwriters and state laws. All of the lighting equipment is new. The powerhouse is centrally located to all three stages and the transformer vault is built on the second floor. Robert Bennett, technical director and one of the studio designers, declares the new studio will be the best in the world. An innovation is the installation of full stage length overhead bridges. These permit lull lighting of the stages throughout their en- tire lengths. Three Stages Connected The stages, three of the largest in the country, are connected with immense open- ings equipped with sliding doors, thus per- mitting long shots of all stages. The space between the stages has been utilized as an immense scene dock. A special property building has been built and the studios con- tain special conveniences for workmen. Work on the magnificent administration building has been started and concrete is being poured. Initial Truex Comedy Shown at Washington "The Night of the Dub," the two-part comedy which is the first of the Ernest Truex comedies to appear upon the Paramount-Artcraft schedule, was given a week's pre-publication showing at Loew's Palace theatre, Washington, D. C, and is reported to have more than pleased the audiences that saw it. The feature length production that was also shown is reported to have been one of the most successful comedy- dramas current, despite which fact the two-reeler brought forth laughter of a quality which convinced the manage- ment that Truex comedies were directly in line with public demand. William S. Hart Is At Work on Second Of His New Series William S. Hart is again at work on a new production — his second under his new contract with Famous Players- Lasky, the first being "Sand!" which was recently completed. The new story will take him away on location, and he will camp there for sev- eral weeks, with his company. It was written by Mr. Hart and Lambert Hill- yer, and the latter is also directing. The star believes it is one of the strongest stories he has ever had. The title and cast will be announced later. "Sand!" is declared to be a particu- larly effective vehicle for Hart, and it also is notable for the fact that it brings the Pinto pony back into the limelight. This equine actor is Bill Hart's special pet, a horse with human intelligence, and he plays a big part in the story. "Sand!" is a title with a double mean- ing. It implies the courage of man. woman and horse, and alludes also to the great stretches of sandy desert where many of the scenes are laid. It has a railroad feature as well which is a nov- elty and lends added interest. Warner Bros. Secure Selig Animal Serial The American and Canadian distribu- tion rights to "The Lost City," the fifteen episode serial being produced by Col. William Selig with Juanita Hansen as the star and in which the animals of the Selig zoo figure prominently, have been purchased by the Warner Bros., according to announcement just made by the producing company. George Cheseboro, Hector, Doin and Frank Clark are members of the sup- porting cast. E. A. Martin is directing. Eight episodes have been completed and work is progressing rapidly, it is said, upon the remainder. The story deals with a hunting expedition which arrives in Africa by plane and discovers a lost city, governed by a white king and his daughter. The complications which make up the story follow the attempt to rescue the princess. Dates On Fox Special Aggregate Ten Months According to reports from the home office of the Fox Film Corp., the con- tracts that have been received to date for the showing of "Should a Husband Forgive?" the latest special production to be offered by this company, aggre- gate a total paying time of ten months. Fox executives attribute the booking- popularity of the attraction to the expe- riences that exhibitors have had with "Checkers" and "Evangeline," recent publications widely exploited. It is ex- pected that "Should a Husband For- give?" will establish a new record for booking days for the Fox organization. Macomb Theatre Sold The Grand theatre at Macomb, 111., has been sold, H. B. Frank retiring from the management. DID YOU HEAR THAT ONE ABOUT—? THEY say that Alan Crosland, director for Selznick Pictures, has an unlimited supply of funny stories and keeps his companies in good humor by relieving the tension of work with the latest of the "Pat and Mike" tales. Here, the cam- eraman has caught him entertaining Myron Selznick and Elaine Hammerstein dur- ing a pause in activities at the Selznick studios. 85 EXHIBITORS HERALD The Sagebrusher" to Be Second Of Great Authors' Productions W. W. Hodkinson has announced as the second Benjamin B. Hampton- Great Authors' production, "The Sage- brusher," by Emerson Hough for De- cember pre-release engagements in the largest American cities. Five Months in Making With the deliberation that has marked all of Benjamin B. Hampton's produc- tion work, "The Sagebrusher" has been in work for five months, during which time Emerson Hough, the author, has been in constant association with the producer at the Los Angeles studios. This form of author co-operation was employed in two previous Benjamin B. Hampton productions, Stewart Ed- ward White's "The Westerners" and Zane Grey's "Desert Gold." "The Sagebrusher," besides being a story of love and faith is announced as a picture of gigantic action and thrills. Mr. Hough's novel is one of the year's biggest sellers and in translating it to the screen Mr. Hampton is said to have given it the vitality that only a very human man could impart to a picture. Arrange for Showings Pre-release showing will be held in twenty or more of the country's larg- est cities for the second and third weeks in December, bookings already having been made as of these dates. "The Sagebrusher" is an all-star cast production with Roy Stewart, Margue- rite de la Motte, Noah Beery, Arthur Morrison, Bettv Brice, Gordon Russell. E. N. Wallock, Thomas O'Brien and Aggie Herring. "The Sagebrusher" was directed by Edward Sloman, who supervised the production of "The Westerners." "Quimby Tribute Month" Breaks Pathe Records Spurred by the competition for prizes offered to branch managers turning in the heaviest business in November, "Quimby Tribute Month," Pathe book- ings and collections attained record pro- portions during the last week. Feature bookings went higher, and marks set in September and October will be over- shadowed by the reports for November. Heavy bookings were recorded on "The Gay Old Dog," "A Woman of Pleasure," "The Right to Lie," "A Dam- sel in Distress," "The Thirteenth Chair," "The World Aflame," "The Virtuous Model," "The Moonshine Trail" and "Oh Boy," which is still booking heavily de- spite its long run. Other features which met with popular favor from exhibitors during the week are "Twin Pawns," "The False Code," "Impossible Catherine," "The Love Cheat," "The Unknown Love," "Common Clay," "Gates of Brass," "The Bishop's Emeralds" and "The Master Man." Not only are the bookings surpassing all previous records, but exhibitors have recognized the merit of the Pathe fea- tures, and are paying higher prices for the product than ever before." A Woman of Pleasure" and "The Gay Old Dog," latest of the series, are making the pace for the other productions, it is claimed. Each of these photodramas is on tin- way to equal the performance of "Oh Boy," "Common Clay," and "The Thir- teenth Chair," which have enjoyed longer and more prosperous life than any other features Pathe ever distributed. Volunteer Reviewer Gives Out Statistics On National Board Figures just issued through the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, indicate the amount of service which its members render. One of these, the secretary of an important educational institution in New York City, has kept a record, since his connection with the Board, which shows that between March 14, 1916, and October 1, 1919, he has re- viewed 602 pictures amounting to ap- proximately 2,500 reels, representing at- tendance at 345 meetings and 835 hours spent in projection rooms. These figures are said to be typical oi the extent of service donated by New Adventure, tragedy and romance in "The Host of Luck/9 a screen classics produc- tion with an all star cast* to he dtatrih- uted hy Metro Pictures Corporation. York citizens — leaders in civic, educa- tional and social welfare activities to the work of the National Board of Review, whose membership is entirely voluntary, but carefully selected with regard to in- telligence, disinterestedness and depend- ability. Everett Dean Martin, director of the Cooper Union forum in New York City, is chairman. Service with the Board appeals to busy people of this type by reason of its broad scope and constructive character. Not only does the Board pass upon all enter- tainment films before release, but selec- tions are made, and lists circulated monthly among the subscribers, of those pictures deemed suitable for family ex- hibition, young people's performances, church and community use, etc. The Board is opposed to legalized censorship of the screen, believing that more can be accomplished by these representative volunteers, whose decisions having the weight of public opinion, are alike re- spected by producers and enforced by co-operating city officials, than by any small group of political appointees. "Se- lection— not censorship — the solution" is the foreword of a catalog of good films issued by the Board. This motto con- tains the kernel of the Board's phil- osophy with regard to raising the aver- age quality of screen offerings. Report Outlook Good for Constance Binney Feature The enthusiasm displayed by Michigan exhibitors, according to Neil Kingsley, Realart's manager at Detroit, augurs well for the reception Constance Binney's first Realart picture "Erstwhile Susan" will receive as soon as it is released. Miss Binney opened at the Shubert- Garrick in Detroit on Sunday, Novem- ber 9th, in "39 East," the Rachel Croth- ers' play which is creating as profound a sensation on the road as it did in its eight months' run at the Broadhurst and Maxine Elliott Theatres in New York. The S. R. O. sign was hung in the lobby early in the afternoon. There were standees two deep back of the orchestra floor when the curtain went up. "Erstwhile Susan" opened at the Still- man Theatre 'in Cleveland on the 9th, fol- lowing Miss Binney's personal appear- ance there the previous week in the Crothers' play. James B. Reilly, Real- art's Cleveland manager, reports that his territory is booked practically solid and predicts that the reception "Erst- while Susan" received at the Stillman, will be duplicated wherever Miss Bin- ney's picture is to be shown. Anita Stewart Arrives In California To Work Anita Stewart, whose next production upon the First National schedule is "In Old Kentucky," has arrived at the Louis B. Mayer studios in Hollywood and is preparing for actual work upon the pro- duction of "The Fighting Shepherdess," with which she is to begin what is ex- pected to be a busy studio year. Miss Stewart left New York on Fri- day, November 14, accompanied by her mother and brother, following a two months vacation enjoyed in the East. Edward Jose will direct the production upon which she will begin work as soon as preliminary plans are fully drawn up and the way is cleared for actual cam- era work. 86 EXHIBITORS HERALD pmiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiuiWiiiuiiunniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiH J INDUSTRY OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES R. H. Cochrane, Vice-President of Universal, Cites Many Instances of Rapid Advancement of Men Who Started at the Bottom of Ladder S^Miiininiinura^ by winning first prize in the That the motion picture art or indus- try holds forth to the man of brains unlimited opportunity for the better- ment of himself is the opinion of R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal. Mr. Cochrane was recently queried on the possibilities of business success for men in the film industry. He pointed out the many men who were now film officials but took occa- sion to emphasize the importance of the fact that a man's success in the film art depends entirely upon himself, whether he be an employe of a produc- ing company or an exhibitor. Mr. Coch- rane cited the rise of several Universal men who within a comparatively short time have established themselves with the Universal company. "The picture art," Mr. Cochrane said, "is so new yet so firmly founded that the changes for growth are unlimited. Tarkington Baker's Rise "Speedy rise to prosperity is not all in the business 'success' of the weekly magazines. For instance the case of Tarkington Baker, well-known film offi- cial, may be cited. Mr. Baker a little more than a year ago was dramatic critic and editorial writer for a middle- western newspaper. He had had pre- viously several years of press-agent ex- perience. He attracted the attention of Carl Laemmle, Universal's president, and was made director of publicity for Universal. His ideas and work were so commendable and his vision so keen that within six months after he asso- ciated himself with the company he was made general-manager. Today he is one of the best known film officials. "Dan Lederman, known as a capable film executive, was at one time man- ager of the Des Moines Universal ex- change. He was brought to New York and not only was made assistant to Carl Laemmle but was made assistant treasurer of the company. Berman Advanced Rapidly "H. M. Berman, now general man- ager of Universal's Exchange, entered the picture industry only four years ago and two years ago was put in charge of the Jewel productions at the Univer- sal home office. "Paul Gulick, former dramatic critic, exhibitor, and publicity manager is now editor-in-chief of Universal's Moving Picture Weekly and is especially well known as the president of the A. M. P. A. "George E. Kami, who started on his business career as stenographer, was promoted to private secretaryship and now holds the estimable position of export-manager of Universal. "Harry Levey, entered the film in- dustry as a film salesman. He became a sales 'ace' and now is general man- ager of Universal's Industrial depart- ment, the largest department of its kind in existence. "Herman Stern started as a film salesman with practically no experience four years ago, and one year ago he was made manager of the Pittsburgh Ex- change. Last June he celebrated his success hy winning hrst prize m Universal Anniversary competition. Salesmen Win Way Up "A film salesman who persisted in doing things differently and better is I. L. Lesserman, now manager of the Chicago Exchange. "Many know the success of W. R. Wilkerson, who started as a Jewel sales- man in the New York office. A short time_ later he was made manager for Jewel sales, and is now manager of the exchange of Kansas City, Mo. "Very interesting is the career of Geo. Levine, who started as a thea- tre peanut boy. He became so proficient in selling peanuts he decided that he could sell something else, and after a year and one-half experience as a film salesman, was promoted to the man- agership of the Milwaukee exchange. "W. C. Herman was at one time in a department store. He had served faith- fully and well and a year ago he was selected as service manager for the New York exchange. Started As Errand Boy "From errand boy to short subject manager is the record of Maurice Hel- man, of the Chicago exchange. Helman knows every Chicago exhibitor and is a man who places Universal's serials in many of the largest theatres. "Carroll Nathan, known among all the film salesmen in New York City, started two years ago selling Jewel pictures. Nathan had ability, and by applying himself, so impressed the sales manager that he was recently sent to San Fran- cisco as assistant manager. "M. A. Chase was a worker who didn't look for the big salary to start with, but who had initiative and new ideas. Chase is now representing Uni- versal in Russia, and reports show that he is making good. "One year ago Charles King was office manager of the New York ex- change. King interested himself in every department of Universal, and to- day he represents the company in Cuba. He makes several trips to the home office each season and is one of the most successful foreign representatives of any film company. "A. E. Rosenberg outgrew the city of Chicago. He had made good there and was looking for new worlds to conquer. He now represents Universal in the largest city in the world, London, Eng- land. How Isen Advanced "One of the latest promotions was that of Monroe Isen. Isen started in the reel room went to the booking office, was made a salesman and last spring was sent to Canal Zone to represent Universal. Some idea of Isen's success may be had in the fact that he returned recently to make arrangements to secure many more films than had been the usual number to send to this territory." The names and records of these men have been cited to bear out Mr. Coch- rane's statement that the film industry has much room for men with ability and initiative. This record was recently sent out in a bulletin to all of Universal's exchanges, with the idea of showing every employee the possibilities for his success. Comedy Company Formed Plans are now well under way for the organization of a producing com- pany which will make two-reel comedies starring Stella Mayhew, prominent vau- deville and musical comedy comedienne. She will be associated in her new enter- prise with A. E. and R. R. Riskin, who will exploit and market her product through their offices in the Chandler Building, 220 West 42nd St., New- York. A VIRTUOUS VAMP VAMPING VIRTUOUSLY Constance Talmadge charming two of her many admirers in "A Virtuous Vamp," her current First National production, adapted by John Emerson and Anita Loos from Clyde Fitch's novel, "The Bachelor" 87 EXHIBITORS HERALD New Portrait of Betty Hilburn Miss Hilburn, who became a star over night by her interpretation of the leading role in the latest Williamson feature "Girl of the Sea," which is presented by the Submarine Film Corporation. When Bearcat Went Dry" Making New Records for World Pictures World Pictures issued a second state- ment within the past few days, declar- ing that the flood of contracts for "When Bearcat Went Dry" continues to pour in and the feature is setting new booking records for the company in many territories. Success at Mattoon, 111. Exhibitor J. W. Sanders, owner of the Strand theatre at Mattoon, 111., writes: "I will say that it is the best picture of the kind that I have ever seen or run. I did a splendid business, made good money and had to have the police to help take care of the crowds. I am glad that I booked this picture and would urge everyone to book it that can." A telegram from John Child, manager of the World Pictures Exchange at Den- ver, reports: " 'When Bearcat Went Dry' opened Strand theatre. Record busi- ness, impossible to handle crowds. Ex- tra police necessary. Line from ten in the morning until late at night seeking entrance. Picture received with big ap- plause. Run will be extended and house opened early to handle crowds." Fight for Standing Room Floyd St. John, manager of the San Francisco Exchange of World Pictures. was the recipient of the following let- ter from H. MacDonald, who operates a large theatre at Vallejo, Calif.: "We were unable to handle the crowd. Never before have we sold tickets at the back door allowing standing room. They were willing to stand to see it. "I have plans for something larger in a theatre. It will have to come if I continue to use World Pictures. I will recall Bearcat a little later." Curtiss Player Veteran Of 43 Years' Experience Frank Burbeck, who plays the part of Stephen Field in "Who's Your Brother?" produced by the Curtiss Picture Corp.. with Edith Taliaferro in the leading feminine role, has been in theatricals forty-three years to date. Mr. Burbeck began his career upon the stage of the old Boston Theatre and Museum, one of the landmarks of the theatre's progress in America. Since that time he has served twenty-one years in the employ of the Frohman in- terests, has supported Maude Adams in "Joan of Arc" and "Twelfth Night," has made Victor records of some of the better known Shakespearean dramas and soliloquies, and is playing in the cast of "The Riddle Woman," Bertha Kalich's present stage production. His previous screen appearances have been in support of Arthur Ashley and Vir- ginia Pearson. Fox Sends News Reels With Belgian Royalty Through arrangements made with the Navy Department the Fox Film Cor- poration provided the George Washing- ton, upon which King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium returned to Europe after their visit to America, with every Fox News in which the royal party were shown at various stages of their transcontinental tour of the United States. So rushed were the royal couple dur- ing their visit here that they had no op- portunity to see the many motion photographs which were taken of them. Due to the arrangements made by the Fox organization every scene which was taken by Fox News photographers, which includes portions of their stays in all of America's principal cities, were shown to them while on the homeward voyage. Kenyon and Hull Join Mayer Scenario Force A. G. Kenyon, who started his career as a scenario writer with Universal, has joined the Louis B. Mayer staff and is now working on the scenario for Mil- dred Harris Chaplin's second big First National picture, a story by Grace Miller White, author of the "Storm Country" stories. Kenyon made a name for himself dur- ing his service with Metro, writing for May Allison, Bert Lytell, and Hale Hamilton. He also did work for Fox, writing for Tom Mix and Gladys Brock- well. George Hull, author, who has been in picture work exclusively during the last two years, will handle continuity for the Louis B. Mayer interests. 88 EXHIBITORS HERALD Famous Players- Lasky Announces Purchase of Plays for Two Stars Famous Players-Lasky Corporation announces the purchase of three new stories for early production. They are "Rozanne Ozanne," by Cynthia Stock- ley; "The Frontier of the Stars," by Payson Terhune, and "A Lady in Love," an unproduced play by Caroline Duer and Harriet Ford. "Rozanne Ozanne" and "A Lady in Love" will be starring vehicles for Ethel Clayton and will be produced after the completion of "All in a Night," the Samuel Merwin story recently acquired for her, while "The Frontier of the Stars" was purchased for Thomas Meighan. The Cynthia Stockley story is one of the South African tales which have earned for the author a reputation among writers of fiction. The scene is laid in the diamond country, the heroine being one of the twin daughters of Sophia Ozanne, a former hotelkeeper of Kimberley. Growing to womanhood, she falls under the mysterious influence of a Malay woman who inculcates in her a hatred for her fellow beings and a love for diamonds. How these tenden- cies are overcome by the love of a man makes a story of absorbing interest, it is said. The story first appeared serially in Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1915. New Clayton Vehicle "A Lady in Love" is a three-act drama which is declared to be well suited to Miss Clayton. It is the story of a girl who elopes from a convent in California and marries a worthless young fellow only to find, immediately after the cere- mony, that he already has a wife and child whom he has deserted. The two wives return to the East, determined to guard the secret of the double marriage until the tangle can be unraveled with- out causing a sensation. Meanwhile, a lawyer falls in love with the unhappy bride and it is through his influence that the unfortunate affair is satisfactorily straightened out. "The Frontier of the Stars" is a story of regeneration, somewhat reminding one of "The Miracle Man," and was purchased for Mr. Meighan at his earnest solicitation. The hero formerly was leader of a gang of thugs. In flee- SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO ing from a detective he takes refuge in the room of a young invalid girl. He is subsequently "framed" by his former gang companions, but a thrilling rescue of his sweetheart from a burning build- ing leads to a thorough investigation and the arrest of those who have been hounding him. Another Melford Announced The Production Department also an- nounced that George Melford, as soon as he completes "The Sea Woif." which is now in its final stages at the Lasky studio, will start production of "The Round-Up," Edmund Day's Western drama which served as a stage vehicle for Maclyn Arbuckle for several sea- sons. It will be produced as a special with an all-star cast. Four Players Complete Cast of "Lost Money" "Lost Money," Denison Clift's story of the African veldt, in which Madlaine Traverse is featured and which is sched- uled for November publication on the Fox schedule, is unique in that the cast includes but four players — George Mc- Daniel, Henry Hebert and Edin B. Til- ton being the actors chosen for the sup- porting roles. In the story Miss Traverse is cast as the daughter of a millionaire living in an African city. She is stolen by a rough character and taken across the little known veldt, undergoing many adven- tures before the happy ending brings her true love and its reward. One of the big moments of the play is the burning of a diamond hunter's ranch, which is said to have been reproduced with ex- cellent effect. Opens Specialty Studio For Fox News Novelties The Fox News Specialty Studio, de- signed and equipped for the production of special features to be incorporated in the Fox News, has been completed and is now in operation at 43rd street and the North River, New York. The original plans for the Fox News as conceived and laid out by William Fox and Winfield R. Sheehan, general manager, call for magazine features as well as strictly news events in the weekly. Managing Director Herbert E. Hancock of the Fox News has equipped the new studio for this purpose and placed his brother, Don Hancock, in charge. Eugene French, a photographer who has contributed various original de- vices to his profession, is head camera- man. Writers Join Staff Of "Model Comedy Co. Bruno J. Becker, general manager of the Model Comedy Company, this week added two scenario writers to the com- pany's staff. They are George Kend- rick, formerly scenarist with the old Kalem Film Company, and Harry Clin- ton, author of many accepted scenarios on the West coast. They will write two-reel subjects featuring Gale Henry. MARY MILES MIXTER Realarfs pretty little star nho has re- turned to the "West Coast and is already at work on another feature. Select Employes Receive Life Insurance Policies Employes of Select Pictures Corpora- tion are this week receiving the free life insurance policies which President Lewis J. Selznick last August announced had been underwritten through the Travel- ers Insurance Company of Hartford. Although the policies are only now be- ing received by the various members of the organization, the insurance became effective on August 1, last, and will con- tinue in effect as long as the individual holders of policies are employes of the corporation. In the event that an em- ploye severs his connection with the organization, there is a clause which per- mits the individual to continue the in- surance in his own behalf. Group insurance, which is the type of insurance under which Select Pictures Corporation has taken measures to pro- tect its many employes, has been in gen- eral use by corporations for several years, but this is said to be the first instance on record of its application in amusement circles. Select insurance af- fects every member and employe of the organization who has been listed on the membership roll for a period of six months or longer, and continues there- after on a sliding scale of increased in- surance. Fox Academy of Music Books "Black Secret" For the second time in its history, William Fox's Academy of Music, one of the largest first-run houses in Greater New York, has booked a serial, — and again it is a Pathe's s-eries to receive this distinction. The Pathe home office announces this week the booking of the latest Pearl White-Pathe serial, "The Black Secret," for the entire Fox Circuit. The one previous serial to be awarded a place on the Academy program was Pathe's, "The Tiger's Trail," in which Ruth Roland is starred. This offering was run three days a week and proved a business-getter. 89 EXHIBITORS HERALD ^iJiUHiiiiiiifiiiijiiitiiMiiiiiiiiiiuiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiEfiiHiiiHiiHiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiii minimi iiuiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiNimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiii|| I THREE MARRIAGES IN THEATRE | Alhambra Theatre In Toledo, Ohio, Puts Over Clever Exploitation Idea During the Run of "Please Get Married" — Attracts Big Crowds ii;iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinmiiiiiiiiiiiii One of the many clever exploitation stunts possible with the Screen Classics, Inc., production of "Please Get Married," starring Viola Dana, was taken advantage or by Manager Horater of the Alhambra Theatre in Toledo, Ohio, which recently showed the Metro picture. It was Mr. Horater's invitation to any couple in To- ledo who planned matrimony to have the knot tied on the stage of his theatre and he would not only make all arrangements, but pay the officiating clergyman and the license fee and bestow a handsome present on the newlyweds. Appeals to Newspaper The idea caught the news sense of the editor of the Toledo Blade, which carried an article on the stunt, written by Ruth Peiter, as follows : "Please get married. "Engaged couples, attention ! This is the personal invitation of Viola Dana, the pop- ular motion picture star, to have the knot tied at her expense, with all arrangements made, even the license fee paid, and noth- ing for the happy pair to do but say T will.' "Viola is the star of the clever comedy drama, 'Please Get Married,' and on the screen at least she understands all the diffi- culties which a wedding involves, a minis- ter, flowers, attendants, invitations, all the fuss and bother which are such a nuisance to a couple who are really in love. And so she has decided to solve the problem, for one couple at least. Is Boost for Cupid "Miss Dana appears at the Alhambra Theatre all of next week, beginning with a Sunday matinee, in 'Please Get Married.' In the Moonlight iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin iiiiiiimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;iiiiiii^ And during that week she has arranged with Manager Horater of the Alhambra Theatre to have a couple married on the stage all arrangements to be made by the theatre, and Manager Horater himself to pay the minister and the license fee, as well as bestowing a beautiful wedding gift upon the happy couple. "In this day of high prices such an offer is a genuine boost for Cupid. And as the gift from Viola Dana— well, it's almost equal to having the famous little star for a bridesmaid. Full details may be obtained from the motion picture editor of the Times. First come, first served; who will be the first ? "Come on, please get married." Three Couples Married As a result of the publicity given to the stunt and the production that inspired it, there were three wedding ceremonies on the Alhambra stage during the week that "Please Get Married" was the feature at- traction. The novelty brought crowds to the theatre at every performance, as the sweeping nature of Manager Horater's in- vitation made it possible for couples to step forward at any time and announce they wanted to take the step into matrimony. The wedding on the stage was among the stunt suggestions in Metro's press book for "Please Get Married," which is Finis Fox's adaptation of the Morosco stage success by James Cullen and Lewis Allen Browne, and was directed by John Ince under the per- sonal supervision of Maxwell Karger. di- rector general. I'rKKy llylaml mill Harry llnnim holding hands in "The Web of Chance," the new William Pox feature. Violet Heming at Work In F.-L. New York Studio While still playing in "Three Faces East," which is at present on tour on the Subway circuit, Violet Heming has commenced work on her second pro- duction and first starring vehicle for the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. "The Cost" is the title and it is from the novel of the same name by David Graham Phillips. The adaptation was made by Clara Beranger and Harel> Knoles is directing. The story of "The Cost" is one of college life and politics. Three char- acters are taken from college life and plunged into the turmoil and strife of high finance and politics. Only re- cently Miss Heming returned from the Lasky studio in California where she played the title role in "Everywoman," her first picture for this organization. Miss Heming will be remembered as the original Rebecca in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." Alma Rubins at Work On Cosmopolitan Film Alma Rubens has begun work upon her first Cosmopolitan production, "1 lumoresque," which is an adaptation of the story by the same name by Fan- nie Hurst. 90 SH A W( TE OULD 3MAN LL? ASK METRO Striking Plans for Realart Mystery Play During his recent visit to New York, during which he booked all of the avail- able Realart productions for his Wash- ing, D. C. theatres, Tom Moore, in col- laboration with Arthur S. Kane, presi- dent of Realart Pictures Corp., and Emile Chautard, who directed "The Mystery of the Yellow Room," devel- oped a prologue for this production which he used during its Washing- ton engagement and endorses for uio throughout the country. The stage will be set as a counter- part of the yellow room in which tht assault which forms the plot basis of tlv play takes place. A green light will dis- close the cat which figures prominently in the film. The witch-like old woman will also be shown, and the mysterious skulking figure will be dimly outlined in the background. As a mysterious hand grasps the girl's throat and she struggles for her life the picture begins, a piercing scream and a pistol shot bring the audience to rapt attention for the opening scenes. Stage Play Owes Much Success to Star's Films H. F. Kinsev, manager of the Majes- tic theatre, Brooklyn, where Alice Brady appeared recently' in "Forever After," her stage vehicle, is frank in at- tributing the excellent business enjoyed to the film plays in which the star has appeared. "It shows conclusively that the pop- ularity of Miss Brady in films, many of which have been shown all over Brook- lyn, made the fans want to see her in real life. She could remain here i month instead of a week and still the photoplay fans would pack my house," said Mr. Kinsey, in discussing the en- gagement and the reasons for its suc- cess. Vincent Feature Ready Director James Vincent has returned to New York after completeing produc- tion of a thirty-reel sub'ject on which he has been engaged for several months in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and which is to be published shortly in sections. EXHIBITORS HERALD United Picture Theatres Outline Extensive Production Schedule That United Picture Theatres of America are now putting extensive pro- duction plans into active operation and that the company has made arrange- ments to film a number of photodramas of the highest grade in addition to con- tracts whereby two series of two-reel comedies will be released by them, is announced. During President J. A. Berst's recent trip to the Coast, details of many new productions were gone over. With the renewal of Dustin Farnum's United contract, several of the picture dramas in which he will appear have been chosen, casts selected and advance de- tails for the filming made. Mr. Farnum has completed "The Cor- sican Brothers" and will shortly begin work on the making of scenes for "Square Shootin' Dan," in which he will be seen in a typical Western role of the two-fisted, fighting type that he has made famous on stage and screen. Fol- lowing this, other stories specially suited to this popular star will be put into work, it is said. Florence Reed Plans Florence Reed, United's popular emo- tional star, has completed "The Eternal Mother," and this feature will soon be shown to the public in theatres served by United. Miss Reed at the present time is making a road tour in her latest speaking stage drama. She has found it necessary, however, to cancel many of her engagements in order that she ma}' keep up to schedule in filming pic- tures for United. Because of this, Miss Reed will soon return to New York and not resume her road tour until at least two feature pictures have been finished. Already scenes in which Miss Reed does not appear have been taken for the first picture she is to make and all will be in readiness for her to begin work with- out delay when she gets to New York. It is planned to present her in several dramatic offerings along the lines of "The Woman Under Oath." To supply their theatres with good short reel subjects, President Berst re- cently contracted to publish the Cuckoo Comedies and two-reelers in which Cissy F'itzgerald is starred. To Distribute Comedies The Cuckoo Comedies star Bobby Burns and Jobyna Ralston, both players of note and well ' known to lovers of real live comedy. In addition to the stars, there is a large company of beau- ties who appear in all of the pictures. The next comedy in this series is to be "The Shimmy Gym." Cissy Fitzgerald is well known to the- atregoers. She has been a popular comedienne of the musical comedy and vaudeville stage for several years. She has completed four of her comedies already and is now on the Coast making others. The first of the Cissy Fitzgerald comedies to be published by United will be "Cissy's Economy." "From the production plans briefly outlined," said President Berst, "all of which are now in active operation, it can be seen that United Picture Thea- tres of America intend to go ahead in a bigger way than ever before. This is in line with the steady growth in mem- bership, for exhibitors have joined United in large numbers of late. In November, 1918, United served 498 theatres, and now, a year later, the num- ber has increased to 2,907 theatres, the latest theatres to be added to the list including several of the Loew houses." McGormick Endorses Work Of Exchange Publicity Men The Universal Film Company, which claims the distinction of having placed the first publicity man at the services of exhibitors using Universal productions, is responsible for the fol- lowing statement, reported as having been made recently to a Universal rep- presentative by S. Barrett McCormick, manager of the Circle theatre, Indian- apolis. "The time is here when the producer must show a real feeling of paternalism toward the exhibitor," was Mr. McCor- mick's statement, "This is the only hope for the producer to maintain present prices on film rentals. Of course there must be men of real ability holding the positions of publicity-exploitation man- agers in the exchanges. I believe that it will be possible to get men of tested ability in the positions and they will be able to lay out a campaign for any ex- hibitor that will be a real campaign." Manager Appointed B. J. Sperry has been appointed man- ager of the newly-opened Pathe ex- change in Portland, Ore., which will care for the distribution over the state of Oregon and a small portion of Southern Washington. Classic Dancer Seen in Goldwyn-Bray Pictograph Paul Swan, male classic dancer, has been engaged to do three dance sub- jects for the Goldwyn-Bray Pictograph, published weekly through Goldwyn ex- changes. They will go under the gen- eral title of "The Age of Fable," the first being "Narcissus," already com- pleted and selected to head the Picto- graph No. 7015 to be published Novem- ber Other subjects in this issue are "Reformed Saloons" and one of Bray's comedy cartoons. The fable of "Narcissus," which was given a dance interpretation by Paul Swan on the stage, is reproduced for the screen with fine effect, it is said. The story of the man who loved only his own image, and met his doom in trying to embrace his reflection in a pool, pro- vides the theme which the classic dancer has developed into a poetic interpreta- tion. Beautiful locations were selected as a background for the performance . Alaskans Ask Fox Star To Pay Personal Visit The Fairbanks Commercial Club, rep- resenting the municipality by the same name that is situated in the northern part of Alaska, have extended to George Walsh, Fox star, an invitation to make that city a visit next summer and while there to produce a picture with Alaskan background1 that will be true to facts, says a report from Fox headquarters. Whether or not the invitation will be accepted has not been announced. The fact that Walsh was chosen as the star to be thus invited is looked upon by members of the Fox organization as an indication that the type of work which he does is the type most popular in Alaska. AL E. CHRISTIE IS AN EXHIBITOR HIMSELF By using a DeVry portable projector, the president of the Christie Film Company can run his pictures on a screen in his office or his home. It has proven inval- uable to him as a labor saver. It makes the cutting, a pleasure rather than a painful duty 91 EXHIBITORS HERALD BEATRIZ MICHELENA IN "THE HEART OF JUANITA" Three scenes from the star's current production being distributed by Robertson-Cole. feature she has appeared in It is heralded as the finest screen Beatriz Michelena to Reappear On Screen in "Heart of Juanita" Beatriz Michelena, who stepped from the operatic stage to enter films, will soon make her re-appearance on the screen in her latest production. "Heart of Juanita." This production was di- rected by George E. Middleton and was produced by her own company for pub- lication through the exchange of Rob- ertson-Cole. In her role as the Spanish, Beauty in "Heart of Juanita," Michelena is sur- rounded by a cast including Albert Mor- rison, Andrew Robson, Clarence Arper, Irene Outtrim and William Pike. Story of the Production The story deals with the great out- doors. Juanita, played by the star, is the Spanish beauty. She is enticed to dance in the home of Jim Brandt, a typical westerner, who promises to marry her. "Blondie," a dance hall artist, arrives in the city and at once angles for the heart and purse of Jim who con- fesses his weakness for blondes. Jim and "Blondie" are found in an embrace by the Spanish Beauty, who in a fit of jealousy stabs the man who re- fused to marry her. She escapes on the speeded steed of the sheriff. She is finally captured by the sheriff. She scuf- fles with the arm of the law and during the melee, his gun is exploded and he is shot and the girl takes to the woods and seeks protection in a hermit's cave. Falls in Love With Hermit After a series of love thrilling en- counters, the hermit and the girl find they are really in love with one another. She fights for him and in turn he risks life and limb to keep the clutches of the law from grabbing the girl of his choice. Calvert, the hermit, and the beauty finally cross the border ensemble and marry. Throughout the story action and a winding series of love tales are interwined and the part played by Michelena is in direct keeping with her screen ability. SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO Mary Hall Chosen as Walsh's Leading Lady Mary Hall, whose film appearances have been few but notable, and who has not yet passed out of her teens, has been signed by the Fox Film Corporation to appear opposite George Walsh in "Shark Rawley," a forthcoming production. Miss Hall was born in Boston but edu- cated in Florida. Her attention was drawn to the screen as a desirable career and she secured her first engagement with Mary Miles Minter in "Anne of Green Gables," her initial Realart pro- duction. She also had a part in "A So- ciety Exile," a Paramount-Artcraft pro- duction. Her work in these features won her the feminine lead in the Walsh com- pany. Grossman Opens Office Grossman Pictures, Inc., with studios at Ithaca, New York, have opened New York City offices at 110 West 42nd street. The offices will be in charge of T. D. Bonneville who will handle pub- licity, advertising and sales for the com- pany. National Newspaper Advertising Drives For Roland Serial Pathe Exchange, Inc., through Paul Bru- net, vice-president and general manager, will launch on December 20 a national ad- vertising campaign for the exploitation of its forthcoming serial of December 28, "The Adventures of Ruth," the first production of Ruth Roland's newly formed company, Ruth Roland Serials, Inc. Like the campaign on the George B. Seitz serial, "Bound and Gagged," the one that is projected will be conducted through the medium of newspapers and magazines with wide circulation. The benefits derived by exhibitors from this direct-to-the-con- sumer form of advertising surpassed ex- pectations and more than warranted a repe- tition of the campaign with the Roland serial. The campaign, mapped out by experts in national exploitation, is designed to cover the communities and homes served by ev- ery motion picture theatre in the United States. The Saturday Evening Post and a long list of daily newspapers with the big- gest home circulation will carry a series of display advertisements, each specifying "The Adventures of Ruth" as Pathe's next big serial release. In addition to this the advertisements in each daily paper will carry the names of the theatres showing the serial in each city served by that par- ticular paper. Theatre to be Reopened LOS ANGELES, CALIF.— John H. Taylor has leased the old Broadway theatre, 2604 North Broadway, and will reopen it as the Lincoln Heights Thea- tre, January 1, 1920. Buys Woodbine House WOODBINE, LA— O. W. Tuel, of Perry, la., has purchased the motion pic- ture theatre in this city. 92 EXHIBITORS HERALD Volplaningf Around N Yaw k snuiiiiiti iiimi in iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii i muni mi Wltfl J . IS. ,J iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii miuiiiiiiiiiiiwiiiniiiiiiii imuuiiiiiuiuinmE New York City, Dec. 2, 1919. Walter Hall, serially speaking, is up to his neck in work and he thrives on it. * * * Ivan Abramson is listed as an "Assistant director" in Kid's Year Book. W hen Ivan sees this there is liable to be some fun over yonder. Listen for the explosion. "Zit" resigned again, and this time it took. • * # * Eddie Bonns has his hands full looking after all the wild animals, but he says he never expects to take the place of the late Jack Bonivita. * * * The great splash in Lake Michigan last week was not caused by Betty Hilburn taking a plunge, but by a meteorite. Betty is a star, but not of the falling variety. This is a good opportunity for Ernest Williamson to sink his submarine tube in the lake and take a close-up, thereby prov- ing that even the stars of other realms fall from grace and become has-beens. * * * Following the general trend of events among the great and nearly great, Peter Milne has tendered his resignation to Para- mount, effective at an early date. * ♦ ♦ Charlie Barrell is the live wire public- ity expert behind the Western Electric Company's new venture into picture pro- duction. On Friday he gave a trade show- ing at Miles Projection Room of "Making Telephones in Tokyo," "The Go-Getter" and "Keeping Fit." All of these pictures were instructive and amusing and should gn well in any theatre. * * * Just as the clock strikes four each day there is a pause in the day's occupation, as Louis Roach of the Transatlantic orders his Oolong and Gunpowder, which is served in the office. There may be more to clair- voyance and reading futures in the leaves ■of a tea cup than most people realize. * * * "Going Some," the Rex Beach produc- tion, now in the finishing laps, is a con- tagious title. Lillian Hall, playing the ingenue lead, writes that she has been "Go- ing Some" in Culver City ever since she arrived there. * * * A meeting of the Motion Picture Direct- ors' Association was held on Tuesday. December 2, at which there was the usual attendance and some more. The added attraction was the nominating of a com- mittee for the election of officers for the coming year. * * * Rubye DeRemer, after spending several weeks with her father at Mineral Springs. Texas, has returned to New York and is about to announce her next picture-play activities. Hugh Thompson, leading man in the recent Gaumont production with Vivian Martin,- has signed for an Artco produc- tion, starring Leah Baird. * * * J. Searle Dawley has returned to New York after spending some time in Denver. 'He will next direct an Artco production starring Doris Kenyon. * * * O. A. C. Lund, formerly director for Fox and Universal, is said to be making preparations to direct his own production of "Love and the Woman." * * * s Seems to be some misunderstanding at the Capitol Theatre just about now as to whose name shall be in sixty point bold face and who will have to be satisfied with italics. Press agents have some troubles at that. * * * James Grainger of the Marshall Xeilan Productions made a hurried trip to Indi- anapolis last week, in fact the trip was so fast that he almost met himself going out as he came back. * * * The consensus of opinion among film folks is that the New York Telephone Com- pany is giving the post office a close race on the bad service proposition, but we are of the opinion that the 'phone company is first under the wire. * * * Ernest Williamon, who owns the Island of Sandy Cay in the Bahamas, says that Conception Island, which is adjacent to the Cay, abounds in wonderful locations for pictures, but actresses refuse to go there on account of the climate. C. F. Zittel's resignation from the Inter- national Films became effective Decem- ber 1. * * * As soon as "Ma" Pickford got one law suit off her hands another bobbed up. This time because a chauffeur who claimed to he operating her auto was running on the "high" and winged a pedestrian. Such is fame. Frank Burbeck and Edith Taliaferro in a scene from "Who's Your Brother?" (Cur- tis Pictures). Go to sleep if you wish, "Lahome" will open your eyes very soon and keep them open. * * * Edgar Lewis and company have arrived in Los Angeles. * * * EiOB&RT Henley is as busy as a bee, pre- paring for his next production. Hobart's studio is only an hour's ride from New York, being located at 125th street. * * * George Landy reports that business was never better and that everything would seem to indicate better times are here to stay. * * * Part of the Biograph studio has been leased by William Fox. Exploitation Campaign Aids Kingston Exhibitor G. Gildersleeve, manager of the Kingston Opera House. Kingston, N. Y., recently used what he claims to be the most extensive cooperative cam- paign yet staged in his territory during the playing of "Evangeline," the Fox picturization of Longfellow's classic. Because of the nature of the picture Mr. Gildersleeve began his campaign by enlisting the support of churches, schools and clubs. With this founda- tion to work upon, he arranged with Forsythe & Davis, a local book store, for a specially dressed window said to be one of the finest ever made up for a similar purpose. Lobby decoration was next given attention and rough- hewn lumber with the bark still attached was used for the purpose. Ex- cellent business is reported as the re- sult of his endeavors. Metro Buys Esmund Play For Viola Dana Vehicle H. V. Esmund's comedy, "Eliza Comes to Stay," has been puchased by Metro Pictures Corporation for the screen uses of Viola Dana following completion of "The Willow Tree," upon which she is presently engaged. The play was originally produced on the stage at the Criterion theatre, Lon- don, England, with Eva Moore, the author's wife, in the stellar role and the author himself in the character of her guardian. The story is that of an or- planed girl who comes to her guardian oddly dressed and odd of manner, de- veloping rapidly into a butterfly type, after and during which many amusing situations are developed. Finis Fox Does Script For Lytell Production Finis Fox, who wrote the scenario for "Blackie's Redemption," the Metro pro- duction which scored Bert Lytell's great- est success as a delineator of crook- roles, has been commissioned to write the script for "Alias Jimmy Valentine," Paul Armstrong's stage play, which will soon be put into production. "Alias Jimmy Valentine" was taken or- iginally from "Retrieved Reformation." a story by O. Henry. Paul Armstrong's stage adaption need not be described. It is known to all who know theatricals. 93 EXHIBITORS HERALD ONE OF THE MANY DEPARTMENTS OF THE NICHOLAS POWER CO. 43 I 1 I m (0 A Section of Our Large Plant Devoted Solely to the Manufacture of Power's Cameragraph All Parts that Bear a Strain or Subject to ^fflear Are Jylade of JVlanganese Bronze or Steel Scientifically Hardened. These are Some of the R easons Why Every Power s Cameragraph Is Unqualifiedly Guaranteed For One Year From the Time it Leaves the Factory And W7*? Stand Bach of Our ^Machines at All Times. NICHOLAS POWER COMPANY I.NCOIt PUR A TED DO GOLD STREET, NEW YORK 1 $1 i i I I m m 1 If i 94 EXHIBITORS HERALD "What the Picture Did For Me" VERDICTS ON FILMS IN LANGUAGE OF EXHIBITOR Copyright, 1919 You are especially invited to contribute regularly to this department. It is a co-operative service FOR THE BENEFIT OF EXHIBITORS. TELL US WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR YOU and read in the HERALD every week what the picture did for the other fellow, thereby getting the only positive guide to box office values. Address, "What The Picture Did For Me", EXHIBITORS HERALD, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago Artcraft The Lie, with Elsie Ferguson. — Ex- cellent in every way; first picture I ever had in which Miss Ferguson appeared that was worthy of her. Business in- terfered with by weather. — W. D. Mar- tin, Badger theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. The Greatest Thing in Life. A Grif- fith production. — Would have been a knockout a year ago. Patrons don't want war stuff, no matter how good.— T. C. Shipley, Essaness theatre, Rush- ville, Nebr. — Small town patronage. Wolves of the Rail, with William S. Hart. — Hart always gets the money. This is one of Hart's best. Excellent scenery, will please any crowd. — E. E. Horman, Opera House, Elgin, Ore. — Small town patronage. The Poppy Girl's Husband, with Wm. S. Hart. — Hart does not draw for me unless he wears a Stetson and packs a gun. Very good picture though. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. The Square Deal Man, with Wm. S. Hart. — A little old yet we consider this one of Hart's best. Packed them in with no extra advertising. Everybody well pleased. — J. E. Ridgeway, Lyric theatre, Coon Rapids, la. — Neighbor- hood patronage. Wolves of the Rail, with W. S. Hart. — The best of Hart's so far on Artcraft program. Drew well. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — Small town patronage. Reaching for the Moon, with Douglas Fairbanks. — This picture drew well but was not up with the Fairbanks standard. Pleased about 60%. Not much of a story. — E. D. Luna, Hulbert theatre, Hulbert, Okla. — Neighborhood patron- age. Riddle Gawne, with Wm. S. Hart. — About the best Hart picture we have shown. — R. Ross Riley, Wigwam thea- tre, Oberlin, Kans. — Small town patron- age. First National Back to God's Country, with Nell Ship- man. — Broke all our opening day rec- ords, including The Miracle Man, The Brat, Hoodlum, etc. Business held up fine, too.- — Harry S. Carter. Mary Ander- son theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Transient patronage. A Temperamental Wife, with Con- stance Talmadge. — Constance very pop- ular here and always draws heavy. — Fred Cosman, Electric theatre, St. Jos- eph, Mo. — General patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — SHIRLEY MASON The recent addition to William Fox stars, whose first production for Fox is "Her Elephant Man," a circus story from the pen of Pearl Doles Bell. Picture went over big and broke all records in our theatre after five years showing big pictures. Book it and ad- vertise it. — E. G. Anderson, Princess theatre, Aberdeen, S. Dak. — Neighbor- hood patronage. Bill Apperson's Boy, with Jack Pick- ford. — The expression "human interest stuff" really applies to this picture. It's sure to please. Book it. — Beth Drew Guhl, Pastime theatre, Delavan, Wis. — High class patronage. Human Desire, with Anita Stewart. — Poor picture. Took it off after first day. — F. G. Heller. Starland theatre, Ander- son, Ind. — General patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford. — Do not worry about losing money owing to weather. Threatening weather first night, down-pour second night, yet made some money. F. M. Honey, Wonderland theatre, Summit, Nebr. — Neighborhood patronage. In Wrong, with Jack Pickford. — A de- lightful comedy-drama; reminds you of Charles Ray in one of his pleasing country boy pictures. — Strand theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Transient patronage. Mary Regan, with Anita Stewart. — Picture nice to look at. This kind of story does not take here, good picture, poor business, weather too cold. Lost money on this. — W. F. Wingen, Win- gen's Opera House, North McGregor, la — General patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — As good if not better than Daddy Long Legs. Good business. — C. M. Hartman, Liberty theatre, Carnegie, Okla. — Small town patronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mardi- ganian. — Great picture played at ad- vance prices. Patrons well pleased. — Guy Fish, Wa-Pa-Co. theatre. Water- vliet, Mich. — Small town patronage. Sunnyside, with Charley Chaplin. — Did not draw as well as feature which we changed each day of two days run for Sunnyside. — Raynolds & Parker, Orpheum theatre, Gilroy, Calif. — Gen- eral patronage. Her Kingdom of Dreams, with Anita Stewart. — A fine subject in every way. This, I think, is best feature in which Anita Stewart has ever appeared. She is not popular here but more like this and she will be.— Fred Cosman, Elec- tric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General patronage. Burglar by Proxy, with Jack Pickford. — Good picture, Jack not well liked here. — F. G. Heller, Starland theatre, Anderson, Ind. — General patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Picture very good. Had house packed first night and sold out for sec- ond, bad roads and rain. — F. W. Hous- ton, Lyric theatre, Lebanon, Nebr. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Fine picture and exceptional puller. Made more on this than on any- thing I ever ran and I have run all the big ones. Better book it. — C. E. Went- sel, Orpheum theatre, Ada, Minn. — Small town patronage. The Thunderbolt, with Katherine Mac- Donald. — Very heavy dramatic subject. Will please some and not others. How- ever, well produced subject. — Fred Cos- man, Electric theatre, St. Joseph, Mo. — General patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Believe that it is the best thing Mary has done. Good business. — R. M. Reese, Sultana theatre, Williams, Ariz. — Small town patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — Don't think it auite as good as Daddy Long Legs. It did not do as well for me, but had bad weather against it. — C. E. Wentsel, Orpheum theatre, Lewis- ville, Ky. — Small town patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Fine in every way. Drew two nights in small town at increased prices. — P. G. Estee, Star theatre, Alex- andria, S. Dak. — Neighborhood patron- age. 05 EXHIBITORS HERALD Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mardi- ganian. — Played to S. R. O. during en- tire engagement. Twenty-two thousand admissions for five days. Miss Mardi- ganian personal appearance during run. — H. L. Hartman, Municipal Auditor- ium, Denver, Colo. — Down town patron- age. A Midnight Romance, with Anita Stewart. — Good program picture. Extra good business in spite of floor roads and bad weather. — G. F. Rediske, Rye- gate theatre, Ryegate, Mont. — Small town patronage. Fox Evangeline, with Miriam Cooper. — A beautiful production. Photography great, book it and boost it. Work it with the schools and get your orchestra to play the music and it will get you the money. Played two days to big houses, second day bigger than first. — Bellman Bros., Lyric theatre, Ft. Atkin- son, Wis. — General patronage. Riders of the Purple Sage, with Wil- liam Farnum. — Ran this at double price and drew above normal house through rain. Pleased patrons and they asked for sequel. — Airs. E. Dewhirst, Beverly pic- ture theatre, Beverly, Kans. — Small town patronage. Riders of the Purple Sage, with Wil- liam Farnum.- — Farnum best drawing card we have. Always good and a money maker. — G. N. Armstrong, Y. M. C. A. theatre, Rose Lake Idaho. — Neighborhood patronage. Treat 'Em Rough, with Tom Mix. — Fine Western feature. Mix always pleases here. Have played Hell Roarin' Reform, Mr. Logan U. S. A., Wilder- ness Trail, all good. Wilderness Trail has some beautiful snow scenes but story not so good as the others. — L. C. Farquhar, Opera House, Guide Rock. Nebr. — Small town patronage. Cleopatra, with Theda Bara. — Played this as a special and got advanced ad- mission. Good house and satisfied them all. — G. F. Rediske, Ryegate thea- tre, Ryegate, Mont. — Small town patron- age. Other Men's Daughters, with Peggy Hvland. — Good picture, pleased them all.— W. H. Gilfillan, The Jewel theatre, Red Lake Falls, Minn. — Neighborhood patronage. Miss Adventure, with Peggy Hyland. —Not a good drawing card for us, but well liked by those who saw it. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. The Rebellious Bride, with Peggy Hy- land.-— She was very good. Fox as a rule has very good pictures. — Olympic theatre, Calmar, Iowa. — General patron- age. The Rainbow Trail, with William Farnum. — Repeat picture played for ca- pacity for two days. Star drews well for me. — G. A. Loveland, Odeon thea- tre, Colorado Springs, Colo. — Down town patronage. We Should Worry, with Jane and Katherine Lee. — This picture gave 100% satisfaction. — L. A. Hasse, Majestic theatre, Mauston, Wis. — Small town pat- ronage. Married in Haste, with Eleanor Fair and Albert Ray. — Leave it alone. A poor picture, no plot, nothing to it. — R. L. Lusiott, Pictureland theatre, Li- vonia, N. Y. — Transient patronage. The Blindness of Divorce, with a spe- cial cast. — Good business. Patrons said this picture was worth a dollar ad- mission. Book it and advertise it well. Patrons will not be disappointed. — E. E. Horman, Opera House, Elgin, Ore. — Small town patronage. Evangeline, with Marion Cooper. — A picture of its kind that has no equal. Every exhibitor should run this picture because the public is waiting for this great production. — R. L. Lusiott, Pic- tureland theatre, Livonia, N. Y. — Tran- sient patronage. The Call of the Soul, with Gladys Brockwell. — Good picture, but not a fit picture for neighborhood patronage. — G. N. Armstrong, Y. M. C. A. theatre, Rose Lake, Idaho. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Fame and Fortune, with Tom Mix. — Good. Mix is a good draw here. Never have played a poor Mix yet. — J. E. Ridgeway, Lyric theatre, Coon Rapids, la. — Neighborhood patronage. The Jungle Trail, with William Far- num.— One of Farnum's best pictures. Book it and advertise is big. — R. L. Lusiott, Pictureland theatre, Livonia, N. Y. — Transient patronage. Salome, with Theda Bara. — Did not Extensive plans are now being ar- ranged for the exploitation of Col. Selig's animal serial, "The Lost City," starring Juanita Hanson, in fifteen epi- sodes. The serial, which is now under production, is being directed by E. A. Martin under the personal supervision of Col. Selig. The Warner Bros., who have secured the American and Canadian distribution rights, which will be sold on a state rights basis, are pioneer producers and readily appreciate the value of adver- tising. Harry Warner states that an adver- tising campaign, in proportion to the magnitude of the serial will be launched. The exhibitors who book "The Lost City" will have a large assortment of advertising accessories, and will be as- sisted by a newspaper and billboard campaign that will reach from the At- lantic to the Pacific Coast. Affords Wide Exploitation The serial, which deals with the ani- mal life in the jungles of Africa, will afford the opportunity to advertise it along the lines of a circus. In making plans for securing the very best line of paper great care was taken to select an artist who specializes in animal drawings. The various lithograph companies were invited to submit sketches of ideas submitted to them and it was only after keen competition that the winning artist was selected. The heralds will be of the circus variety, eleven by fourteen inches of various colors, with pen sketched drawings that will compel attention. Regular circus banners, of waterproof canvas printed in five colors, will give the exhibitors the advantage of using the same banner for the entire fifteen episodes. The window card will be a novelty cut-out card of the form of an elephant, with appealing reading matter printed in two colors. Juvenile Appeal Made Besides the slides, lobby photos, cuts and mats, there will be many novelties which will appeal to the boys and girls. A beautiful pocket mirror with a draw- ing of a lion's head and a photo of Juanita Hanson between the teeth of the lion will be used as a souvenir to the girls. For the boys, there will be buttons and a set of small cards on which will be photographs of the differ- ent animals appearing in the serial, be- sides other novelties that have not as yet been decided upon. Arrangements are also being made with a prominent music publisher to write and dedicate a song to Miss Han- son. Unlike heralds and pamphlets which are read and thrown away, a song enters the home and continuously ad- vertises the serial. SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO Allan Dwan Will Produce "In the Heart of a Fool" William Allen White's story "In the Heart of a Fool" has been selected by Allan Dwan for his next photoplay ve- hicle. Work on filming the production will start next week, and Mr. Dwan pre- dicts that it will be the most pretentious offering that he has yet contributed to the screen. The story, which apeared in book form about a year ago has caused much com- ment owing to its vast scope and excep- tional theme, and for the photoplay in- terpretation Mr. Dwan has selected a cast of exceptional players including James Kirkwood, Mary Thurman, Anna Q. Nils- son, Philo McCullough, Ward Crane, Maryland Morne, James P. Hogan, Fred Turner. Arthur Hoyt and John W. Burton. Madlaine Traverse in Twelfth Fox Production Madlaine Traverse and company are at work upon "What Would You Do?" ■an original story by Denison Clift, that is said to present the star with excellent opportunities for the style of work which has become associated with her person- ality. She is quoted as saying that this, her twelfth production for the Fox schedule, will be by all odds her best. George McDaniel, who played opposite Miss Traverse in "Lost Money," her last feature, is cast in like role in the new one. Frank Elliott. Charles K. French, Lenore Lynard and Cordelia Callahan complete the cast. Especial attention should be called to the title of the picture, which suggests vast exploitation measures. Selfcnick Buys Novel "Straight Down the Crooked Lane" or "All Around the Square" is the double title of the recently published book by Bertha Runkle, picture rights to which have been purchased by Myron Selznick, president of Selznick Pictures Corp. No announcement has been made as to the star who will be featured. 102 EXHIBITORS HERALD Vitagraph to Expend $3,600,000 On Larry Semon's New Comedies Comedian Signs Three Year Contract With Albert E. Smith Which Calls for Huge Money Outlay -Salary Not Made Public Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, Inc., and "Larry" Semon, the motion pic- ture comedian, have entered into a new con- tract at Los Angeles which makes the actor- author-director one of the highest paid comedians in the world, it is declared. According to information received at Yitagraph's general offices, 1600 Broadway, from Mr. Smith, who is now in the west. Semon's new contract means the outlay of $3, 600,000 by Vitagraph for Semon come- dies during the next three years. This sum includes the cost of production as well as the comedian's salary, which will be the highest paid to any actor making two reel subjects, with the possible exception of Charlie Chaplin. Mr. Semon's rise to such fame has not been unduly rapid. He has been making comedies for Vitagraph for several years and as his experience improved his work his popularity and success grew. His present contract with Vitagraph expires with the closing of the year and under his new con- tract his services are assured the produc- ers until at least the end of 1922. Ten Films a Year As Mr. Semon averages about ten two reel comedies a year the new agreement means that for the next three years each of his comedies will cost the producers an average of $120,000 each. Knowledge of the approaching termination of his contract led several of the larger producers to make flattering offers for his services, it is said, but he elected to remain where he had be- gun and where he had made his success. Mr. Semon's position is unique in the motion picture world in that he writes, directs and plays in all of his comedies. His early career was as a newspaper car- toonist, where his sense of humor was fully developed. That his comedies were clean as well as funny and that the comedian himself was inimitable, had much to do with his success. Broadway Likes Semon Within a few months his comedies have been seen in nearly all of the larger Broad- SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO way picture houses. His last offering, "Dew Drop Inn," made a great hit at the Rialto a few weeks ago. His latest com- edy, "The Head Waiter," has been selected as the feature comedy at the new Capitol Theatre. It will also be shown at the new million dollar San Francisco Theatre at Los Angeles, managed by Samuel Rothapfel, formerly the managing director of the Rialto and Rivoli here. Mr. Semon, who is not yet thirty years old, was born in West Point, Miss. His father was known on the stage as Pro- fessor Sera Semon and headed a traveling vaudeville company. After he completed his education Larry Semon tried the stage for a time, but left it to become a cartoon- ist. He drew cartoons on current, political and humorous subjects for the New York Herald and the Evening Telegram, and was on the staff of the New York Evening Sun when he resigned to enter the motion pic- ture field. Fox Distributing Chain Enlarged During Past Year In less than one year, according to reports from the Fox Film Corp., the business of that organization has in- creased almost 400 per cent, and en- largement of the distributing organiza- tion with the establishment of new exchanges at advantageous points is said to be largely responsible for the gain. A single example of this broadening of scope is pointed out in the statement that whereas, in 1918 a single exchange at Singapore handled the distribution for the Strait Settlements, India and the Dutch East Indies, as well as parts of China, there are now branches at Bom- bay, Batavia, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Manila. In January, 1918, ten prints of Fox pictures were sent to the Singa- pore exchange. Now there are seven. And this number does not include the Australasian territory, which is served individually. Birthday Party Given Universal Official 1 Albert Tuchman, purchasing agent for Universal, was the guest of honor at an informal party recently given in New York on the date of his fiftieth birthday. Mr. Tuchman has been with Universal five years, first becoming associated with that concern at the Fort Lee studios. He has been private secretary to the president, assistant general manager, and for the last two years has had charge of the purchasing eird of the business. Among the members of the Universal organization who attended were R. H. Cochrane, P. D. Cochrane, Harry Rice, Geo. E. Kahn, Paul Gulick, Dan Leder- man, Edward Roskam, Edward Moffat, H. M. Berman, George Uffner and John Schroeder. ALICE BRADY A recent photograph of Realart Pictures Corporation's popular star. "Westerners" Exploited Heavily in Cleveland, O. What is said to be the most extensive newspaper advertising ever accorded a motion picture production in Cleveland was that executed by Charles H. Miles, manager of the Grand theatre, in ex- ploiting "The Westerners," the Hamp- ton picturization of Stuart Edward White's novel being distributed by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. At the beginning of the week's en- gagement three-quarter pages were used in the two morning and the two evening newspapers. The copyr used was directed at ihe readers of the White novels, it being decided that the steady clientele of the Grand theatre needed no special argument to bring them to the house during the week. Another im- portant feature was the 30,000 word tabloid version of the novel published as a supplement to the Cleveland Sun- day Leader. Autographed copies of the book were offered as souvenirs at cer- tain matinees. The billboards also came in for due consideration. Play-Reading Department Transferred to New York Because he considers New York the fountain-head of supply for big plays, stories and novels, Richard A. Rowland, president of Metro Pictures Corpora- tion, has detached the reading depart- ment from the scenario department proper, and is transferring it bodily from the Metro studios in Hollywood to New York. Jasper Ewing Brady, who for more than a year has headed the reading de- partment at the studio on the West coast left California with Mrs. Brady a few days ago for New York, where he will assume the same position at the home offices of Metro Pictures Corpor- ation in the Longacre Building. June Mathis continues as actual head of the Screen Classics, Inc., scenario de- partment for Maxwell Karger, Director General of production. 103 EXHIBITORS HERALD A CELEBRATED PAGE Worthy the Careful At- tention of A II Successful Exhibitors Desiring the CREAM a STATERIGHT MARKET A List of Releases 1 hat Will Interest You a Featuring GEO. OVEY Christie Comedies Gayety Hank Mann Comedies Jungle Christie Specials The Hall Room Boys Gaumont News Graphic Pictorial Outing Chesters Topical Tips 1 Reel Released Weekly 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 Red Cross Travel Series 1 Bruce Scenics 1 Monthly Every 2nd Week Each Week, Illinois Only Weekly Photoplay Screen Supplement Released Monthly And our choice box office "Serial" Attraction: HELEN HOLMES IN The Fatal Fortune IN 15 EPISODES Northern Illinois and Indiana CELEBRATED PLAYERS FILM CORP. 207 SOUTH WABASH AVE. CHICAGO, ILL. 104 EXHIBITORS HERALD A ROMAN A SURE FIRE CHRISTIE SPECIAL SCANDAL With COLLEEN MOORE And a FEATURE CAST SPECIALS 2ST SPECIALS Distributed By CELEBRATED PLAYERS FILM CORP. MIDWEST DISTRIBUTING CORP. 207 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111. Milwaukee, Wis. A. H. BLANK ENTERPRISES CRESCENT FILM CO. Omaha, Neb. Kansas City, Mo. 105 EXHIBITORS HERALD Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ 'in 111; (DECEMBER PARAMOUNT-ARTCRAFT "Everywoman a Special Production With Maurice Tourneur s "Victory" and an Ince Film Tops List of Pictures for the Month The special production, "Everywoman" ; Maurice Tourneur's "Victory" and Thomas H. luce's personally super- vised special, "Behind the Door," are the high lights of the December schedule of Paramount-Artcraft produc- tions just announced by Al Lichtman, General Manager of Famous Players- Lasky's Department of Distribution. December T brings Robert Warwick in "An Adventure in Hearts," Maurice Tourneur's special production, "Vic- tory," and Ethel Clayton in "More Deadly than the Male." The Warwick vehicle is an adaptation of Anthony Hope's delightful adventure story, "Captain Dieppe," and is founded on the dramatization by Harrison Rhodes. Helene Chadwick appears as leading woman. Tourneur's "Victory" is founded on Joseph Conrad's story of the same name, a tale of the sea. A notable cast is featured, the list including Jack Holt, Seena Owen, Lon Chaney, Wallace Beery and Ben Deely. A Gollomb Story The Ethel Clayton picture, "More Deadly than the Male," is an adapta- tion of "The Female of the Species," a story by Joseph Gollomb which ap- peared in Saucy Stories. Julia Crawford Ivers wrote the scenario, Robert G. Vignola directed and the cast includes Edward Hoxen, Herbert Hayes, Hal Cooley and Peggy Pearce. A Cosmopolitan Production, "The Ci- nema Murder." based on the story by E. Phillips Oppenheim, is scheduled for December 14. George D. Baker directed from the scenario by Francis Marion and Marion Davies has the leading role. It is a mystery story, said to contain an unusual amount of thrilling action. Available on the same day is the first of the season's series of specials per- sonally supervised by Thomas H. Ince. It is "Behind the Door," picturized by Luther Reed from the story by SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO Gouverneur Morris which appeared in McClure's Magazine a little over a year ago. Second Ince-Dalton Dorothy Dalton in "His Wife's Friend." a picturization of J. Harris Burland's story, "The White Rook," is one of the features listed for December 31. This is the second Thomas H. Ince production made by Miss Dalton in the East, Joseph DeGrasse being credited with the direction. R. Cecil Smith wrote the scenario and the cast includes War- ren Cook, Henry Mortimer, Richard Neal, Paul Cazeneuve and others. Lila Lee supports Wallace Reid in "Hawthorne of the U. S. A.," which also is published the 'list. This is the ro- mantic adventure play by James B. Fagan in which Douglas Fairbanks ap- peared on the stage some years ago. The same day brings Marguerite Clark to the screen in "A Girl Named Mary," a story by Juliet Wilbor Tomp- kins. The scenario is by Alice Eyton and Walter Edwards directed. Miss Clark has the support of Wallace Mac- Donald, Kathlyn Williams, Aggie Her- ring, Charles Clary and other well- known players. Latest Billie Burke Billie Burke finds a place in the De- cember 28 publications in "Wanted — a Husband," which is Samuel Hopkins Adams' story, "Enter D'Arcy," scenar- ioized by Clara S. Beranger, Lawrence Windom directed, and the cast includes James L. Crane as leading man, Mar- garet Linden, Helen Green, Gypsy O'Brien, Bradley Barker and "Kid" Broad. "Red Hot Dollars" is the engaging title of Charles Ray's newest Thomas H. Ince production, which also is pub- lished the 28th. This is another Julien Josephson story of the small-town type in which Ray has been so successful, Jerome Storm again directing. "Everywoman," George H. Melford's production of Walter Browne's stage masterpiece, comes to first-run houses the same date. With Violet Heming, Theodore Roberts and Wanda Hawley featured and with a supporting cast in- cluding, among others, Monte Blue, Raymond Hatton, Mildred Reardon, Margaret Loomis, Irving Cummings, James Neill, Edythe Chapman, Charles Ogle, Tiilly Marshall and Noah Beery, the production promises to be one of the most noteworthy of a season which already has brought out many conspic- uous successes. Film "Fortune Hunter" Earle Williams, Jean Paige, his sup- porting woman, and the members of the supporting company are making marked progress on "The Fortune Hunter," Vit- agraph's screen version of Winchcll Smith's famous comedy drama. Tom Terriss, who is now directing Mr. Wil- liams, says that the further he goes in the picture the more possibilities work out and that undoubtedly it will be as PAULINE FREDERICK In a scene from "The Loves of Letty," her current Goldvtyn production. The story is by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, directed by Frank Lloyd. good, if not better, than it was as a stage production. Metro Head Substitutes For Director General Richard A. Rowland, president of the Metro Pictures Corp., recently assumed the role of Director General in direct charge of the five Screen Classics pro- ductions under way at the Hollywood studios, an attack of blood poisoning resulting from an apparently minor bruise having incapacitated Maxwell Karger. Though Mr. Rowland had never before taken active charge of production he managed without mishap the work of the five companies during the illness of the director general. During his period in charge Jack Dillon, directing Bert Lytell, suffered an accident which necessitated putting the star in charge of his own company. Viola Dana was also absented from the studio by ill- ness and Mr. Rowland was forced to keep the other members of the company busy making the scenes in which the star does not appear. All in all, the Metro president considers his experi- ence a most valuable one. Marion Fairfax Joins Marshall Neilan Staff Marion Fairfax, writer of many of the screen successes of recent years, has been engaged by Marshall Neilan to write the scripts for all his forthcoming productions, the salary involved said to be one of the highest ever paid fo- work of this nature. Miss Fairfax has had wide experience both as writer and actress. She en- tered theatricals under Charles Froh- man, appearing in "The Gay Parisi- enes." one of his early productions. She quickly abandoned the stage for the screen and acting for writing. "The Clown," "The Honor of His House." "The Secret Game." "The Blacklist," "The Valley of the Giants," "Vicky Van," and "Love Insurance" are some of the plays which she has written or prepare! for the screen. 106 EXHIBITORS HERALD Carefully Combing Colorado ==== With H. E. N. Bid regretful adieu to the boys in the "Mile High" city, stepped on the starter and set out. Have thus far seen the trade in Colorado Springs, Trinidad and Pueblo. DENVER Noah G. Brewer of Sidney, Neb., who operates the U. S. Theatre in that city, was a visitor this week at the Swanson Thea- tre Equipment Company, where he pur- chased a new Gardiner Velvet-Gold Fibre Screen, two Simplex machines and a Ft. Wayne generating plant. This equipment is for his new theatre, which will open January first at Ft. Morgan. Colo. The remodeling of this building for theatre pur- poses is estimated to have cost, including real estate, $45,000. The seating capacity- is 525 and the booking policy will be a daily change of program. * * * John Zanft, personal representative of William Fox, was a recent visitor here, and made many changes in the personnel of the management of the Fox theatres in this city, namely : Plaza, Isis, Strand and Rivoli. Edward Hymax, formerly Fox Liberty Theatre manager at St. Louis, was ap- pointed regional director of the four Den- ver Fox houses. E. H. Hibbin, late of the Inter-Ocean Film Corporation, Xew York City, succeeds Mr. McDonald as manager of the Strand and Plaza Theatres. Essex Hurst of St. Louis will manage the Isis. Meredith Davis of the Denver Post will handle the publicity of the Fox theatres, and Charles Harrison Ernst will act as auditor and treasurer. COLORADO SPRINGS J. E. Tomtkins. manager of the Liberty Theatre, reports business good for the win- ter season, as this is a summer theatre town. He has installed a four-piece orchestra in the Liberty. Alice Joyce in "The Ven- geance of Durand," played Thanksgiving week, with a special performance of "Poor Relations" on Thanksgiving Day. * * * Joe Koehler has resigned as manager of the Princess Theatre, and will go into the business for himself. The location, how- ever, has not been decided upon. No suc- cessor for Mr. Koehler has been appointed for the Princess as vet. * '* * John E. Rogers, that hustling Fox sales- man, was very much in evidence on the main stem of Colorado Springs last week, and from all reports he sure was cleaning up. Incidentally, wonder why John hangs around the Odeon box office so much? Col. Frank Robertson, who operates the Majestic Theatre at Manitou, Colo., reports that he will build a new theatre to be called the Rialto, which he will run in con- junction with the Majestic. The Colonel was visiting his many exhibitor friends here. * * * Colorado Springs will shortly have its first suburban house, which is to be located on Colorado avenue. R. R. Chamberlain, formerly an exhibitor of Leoti, Kan., oper- ating the Ideal Theatre at that place, is re- modeling property for this new suburban theatre, which will be named the Isis. It will have a seating capacity of 325 and part of the equipment was purchased from the Kansas City Machine Supply Company and the rest of the fixtures are part of the old Isis Theatre at Victory, Colo. The Isis will open December first with a Fox pro- gram. * * * Frank Tammex, that old-time showman of Sells-Floto circus fame, who owns the America Theatre here, has just completed remodeling the theatre at a cost of $18,000. This house has a $20,000 Hope- Jones organ and a seating capacity of 851 besides 84 loge seats. Manager Tammen has a very elabo- rate and beautiful stage setting for the screen, depicting different seasons of the vear. $ * 4 G. A. Loveland, for eight years of the Odeon here, reports that he will shortly in- stall an automatic player for his Seeburg organ, to cost $3,000. The seating capacity of this house is 1,000, and Exhibitor Love- land says business is phenomenal. In this house a Wagner 50-50 converter is also be- ing installed. PUEBLO L. R. Cutshaw, manager of the Majes- tic, reports that the steel strike is adjust- ing itself, but the coal strike has so affected his attendance that he is operating at a loss. The Majestic has just been redecorated and plans are now being drawn for the building of a new marquee and remodeled front. This house plays vaudeville Wednesday and Thursday nights and the balance of the week Universal and Goldwvn features. * * * Edward Anderson, manager of the Grand, will play Constance Talmadge in "The Vir- tuous Vamp," Christmas week, and "Back to God's Country," as the Thanksgiving SH A W( OULD 3MAN TE LL? ASK METRO week attraction. Mr. Anderson reports business affected by industrial conditions. J. M. Havden, Vitagraph representative for this territory, does not believe in loafing on Sundays, as he sure was one busy guy in Pueblo on the above mentioned day. Be- tween Salesman Hayden and yours truly the exhibitors had an exciting day. TRINIDAD G. P. Nash, owner of the Strand Thea- tre, has just about completed his plans to move further uptown and build a strictly modern theatre, which will have a seating capacity of 1,200. (Exhibitor Xash reports business good, even in the face of strike conditions throughout the Trinidad district. A coming attraction for this house is Cecil B. DeMille's "Male and Female." * * * The K. & F. Amusement Co. of Trinidad, Colo., which operates the West and Rialto Theatres in this city, the Curran Theatre at Boulder, Colo., and the Coronado and Mu- tual Theatres at Las Vegas, X. M., has just installed a new photoplayer in the Rialto Theatre. The West Theatre plays stage attractions and all the big features. The Rialto, formerly the Rex, has just been taken over by the K. & F. Amusement Co. Spanish Novelist, Fox Guest, Praises Screen Blasco Ibanez, Spanish author of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." a novel now engaging the critical atten- tion of literary critics and readers, was recently a guest at the Fox studio, where he was introduced to William Fox, Wil- liam Farnum and other members of the organization, taken through the studio and permitted to see motion pictures in the making. Speaking of the screen the Spanish notable said, "The screen is a marvel- ously fine medium through which to reach the millions upon millions of peo- ple all over the earth eager for enter- tainment and instruction. It is a wonder- ful privilege for a contemporary author to preserve for all mankind a living pic- ture of the children of his imagination through the motion picture film — a priv- ilege that was not vouchsafed to writers who poured forth their thoughts before the advent of the cinema." New Emotional Part For Gladys Leslie Gladys Leslie last week completed "The Midnight Bride." her next Vita- graph feature. It is not likely, however, that it will be published before the new year as "The Golden Shower," will be shown first. The latter will be presented during the present month. "The Midnight Bride" is based on the magazine story by Charles Stokes Wayne called '"The Marriage of Little Jeanne Sterling." It again offers Miss Leslie a dramatic role, the fourth she has had since Albert E. Smith decided that she was as well qualified for the emotional roles as she was for the lighter comedy characterizations of which she had made a specialty. 107 EXHIBITORS HERALD Pat he Will Distribute William Desmond's Latest Production Pathe will distribute William Des- mond's latest starring vehicle, "The Prince and Betty," produced by Jesse D. Hampton from the novel by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse. The contract has just been signed, and publication date for the Hampton melodrama has been set for December 21. Pathe is also dis- tributing the Blanche Sweet features produced by Jesse D. Hampton. Directed by Robert Thomby The direction was by Robert Thornby, who directed "Fighting Cressy," with Blanche Sweet. Fred Myton, another member of the Hampton forces respons- ible for "Fighting Cressy," wrote the continuity for "The Prince and Betty." Supporting Desmond in the Wode- house story are Mary Thurman, Anita Kay, George Swann, Walter Perry, Wil- ton Taylor, William Devaull and Frank Lanning. "The Prince and Betty" is a comedy drama. Story of South America Mr. Wodehouse wrote "Oh Boy" and "A Damsel in Distress," which in Pathe annals are classed as two of the most successful features of the year. The story concern itself with the adventures and love affairs of John Maude, an Am- erican who gets his smokes free, and his two-by-four room rent peddling cigars in a hotel, suddenly transformed into the prince of a South American principality. It is not the customary comic opera story that Mr. Wodehouse wove about this fact, but a logical tale, plus some improbabilities and a few revolutions which combine to supply five reels of hilarious amusement. United Theatres Offers Exploitation Campaign Advices from the United Picture Theatres of America is to the effect that a special exploitation and advertising campaign possessing many unusual fea- tures is in process of preparation pend- ing the publication of "The Corsican Brothers," the picturization of the novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas in which Dustin Farnum is to be starred. Book stores have been equipped with material with which to aid the exhibitor who plans window trimmings. Public libraries have also had their part out- lined. Plans are on foot also for a cam- paign to be directed at the women's clubs and literary societies. Magazines of national circulation are said to have been provided with stories which will also be of material assistance in popu- larizing the picture. SHOULD A WOMAN TELL? ASK METRO To Open in January EATON RAPIDS, MICH.— The new Bijou theatre building is rapidly near- ing completion and it is announced def- initely that it will open in January. GUARANTEED Mailing Lists MOVING PICTURE THEATRES Every State— total, 25,300; by States, $4.00 Per M. 1070 Film Exchanges $7.50 313 manufacturers and studios 4.00 368 machine and supply dealers 4.00 Further Particulars: A. F. W I L L I A M S, 1 66 W. Adams St., Chicago Can A Picture Take Credit For The Rise Of A Star? YOU ARE THE JUDGE. Brown of Harvard FEATURING TOM MOORE and HAZEL DALY UNFOLDING A ROMANCE OF STUDENT LIFE AT HARVARD, THREATENED WITH THE BLIGHT OF YOUTH'S PROFLIGACY, BUT TRIUMPHANT IN THE END. Getting more money for the exhibitor than any Tom Moore Picture ever released. Have you got yours? ARTHUR S. HYMAN ATTRACTIONS, Inc. CHICAGO— CONSUMERS BLDG. W. G. McCOY. Manager DETROIT—FILM BLDG. C. O. BROKAW, Manager 108 Reported by "Mac" We have just received a message from "the wild" and our old chum, W. E. Ban- ford, manager for Goldwyn Distributing Corp., informs us that Salt Lake City, Utah, is on the map to stay. "Doc" further quoteths, "it is some pretty spot to pitch tent and if old Uncle Sam would permit 'Gene Malloy to establish a branch empo- rium out there, all would be paradise." In- cidentally, Manager Banford was elected president of the local Film Board of Trade, so congratulations are in order. * * * Al Rosenthal of Rosenthal & Saper- stein left for New York last Friday for a brief visit to the Big City, sort of conclud- ing arrangements for his 1920 output for distribution to the exhibitors of Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. * * * J. G. Hahn of the Rothacker Film Mfg. Co. was an absentee during the week of December 1, undergoing a slight throat op- eration. * * * Jack O'Toole, district manager for the United Picture Theatres of America, after a whirl around the central west regions returned to the city and reports affairs very flourishing. The recent board of directors' meeting held at the Hotel Morrison, for Chicago representation elected Fred Schae- fer, George H. Hines and Fred Siegert. * * * Chicago newspaper circles were given an agreeable visit by the petite and comely publicist, Regina Kruh, who has been re- sponsible for so many interesting items con- cerning Myrtle Stedman, Elsie Ferguson and Gladden James and oodles of other in- teresting film affairs, so dear to the heart of film devotees. * * * A flash from Indianapolis tells us that Louis Goulden's "Sedan" runs fine and he is covering the entire state of Indiana. All right, Louis, why brag about it, you should be registering thanks and knockin' on wood. * * * John McFarlane, well known to mam- folks of Chicago's film circle, has come to the surface again, shipping out of Detroit, Mich., as a film salesman for the American Film Co., and tells us, "Six Foot Four." starring William Russell has given the en- tire state one of the best money-getters for some time past and lest we forget — the portly Eichenlaub is manager for the local Pathe exchange. No. "Eich" is no relative to the famous Notre Dame foot-ball demon, although he is THERE on passing the ex- hibitors the real material to score with. * * * Ground has been broken for a new thea- tre in Pana, 111. It will be operated by Henry Tanner & Co., and will seat 500 people. * * * Chas. J. Law, operating the Palace The- atre in Pana, announced plans this week for a 1,200 seat theatre. * * * Ground has been broken in Pekin, 111., for a 600 seat house. The owners' names are not given out at present. * * * H. R. Phillips of the Arthur S. Hyman Attractions, and Clarence Phillips of the ALICE LAKE Who is featured with Jack Mulhall and Frank Currier in "Should a Woman Tell," produced by Screen Classics, Inc., and scheduled for earlj- publication. local Goldwyn Exchange, wish to extend their heartfelt thanks for the many floral offerings tendered the family in respect to the decease of their beloved mother. Bill Hight, erstwhile scribe of the M. P. News, is now publicist for the busy Bee Hive exchanges, having succeeded the de luxe F. E. Mattison, who is now devoting his entire time to the Fay Films Corpora- tion, being appointed general manager, and will shortly leave for their studios in the sunny south, at Jacksonville, Fla. With A. S. Hyman see-sawing between Chicago and Detroit, Mich., we managed to pry enough information from him on his last visit to state for the benefit of his large following among Michigan exhibitors that his company will shortly announce a long list of films recently purchased in the east. 'Tis rumored about the Film Exchange Building that Repr. Rowley of the Realart Exchange, has been suffering from severe callous annoyance of the pedals for the past week or so. Can't prove it by us, as every time we see the charming chap he is comfortably seated in a swell piece of mahogany with cushions plenteous, ahem ! ♦ ♦ ♦ Ground has been broken in Casey. 111., for a new theatre to be called the "Memo- rial," Wm. Coburn, manager. * * * The New Barth Theatre at Carbondale, 111., will open January 1. The Barth Amusement Co. are the owners. Hippodrome, Murphysboro, 111., will open February l.j. Marlow Bros, are the own- ers. The new house will seat 1,500 people. The Allied Film interests of Chicago and St. Louis are preparing to open a theatre of their own in Harrisburg. 111. Several pieces of ground are now under considera- tion and options have been given the ex- change managers. A meeting will be called in Harrisburg, January 6, and a selection of ground is to be made at this time. This will give the exchanges an outlet for their productions. J. Ray Murray of the editorial staff of Exhibitors Herald was removed to his home November 29 after spending three weeks at the Sheridan Park hospital, where he was operated on for appen- dicitis. * * * A bunch of Pathe speed boys invaded Milwaukee during the past week to wit- ness a prize fight. It was a "grudge fight." That is, the spectators had the grudge, after watching a couple of huskies stall around and wave eight- ounce pillows at each other. Paul Gerard Smith, P. A. E., proved himself a regular press agent a few days ago when he talked a policeman out of arresting him. That takes a real talker. Smith had disturbed traffic by letting a bunch of toy balloons loose on State street. State-Congress is Using Motiographs Chicago's newest down town vaude- ville and motion picture theatre, the State-Congress, opened by the Linick and Jacoby Enterprises in State street near Congress street, has been equipped with two DeLuxe Motiograph machines by the Amusement Supply Company of Chicago. Two DeLuxe Motiographs have also been installed at the Alcazar theatre. 69 West Madison street and at the Casino theatre, 58 West Madison street, Chi- cago, within a block of State and Mad- ison streets, called "the busiest corner in the world." Other recent installations by the Amusement Supply Company include: Idle Hour theatre, Upland, Ind., one machine; Colonial theatre, Colfax, 111., two machines; Castle theatre, Bloom- ington. 111., two machines; E. M. Smith's theatre, Latham, 111., one ma- chine: Mayfair theatre. 4421 Montrose avenue. Chicago, two machines: V". A. McGowen's theatre. Otwell, Ind.. one machine; WToodlawn theatre, Evans- ville, Ind.. two machines; Princess Amusement company, Albany, Ala., two machines: Temple theatre. Mishawaka. Ind., two machines: Home theatre, Stockton, 111., one machine, and W. L. Snapp's theatre. Oaktown. Ind., one ma- chine. 109 EXHIBITORS HERALD ^iiii:;llillililiu!ili!iiii!iniiliii; lillllllllllllllllUllnllilllllllllllj^ COHEN EXPLAINS NEW MOVEMENT Chairman of 'Protect the Screen' Body Declares That Producers Are Collecting Fees From Advertisers for Many Films | mmm mm mum iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiuiiiiiiiiiiiii! iiiiiuiiiiimii luminituiiHii n annum i i yi mifflu i iiiin uuniiiu liini n niiiiniiiriil Charging that many of the so-called "educational" and "industrial" films are nothing more or less than direct adver- tising for various national advertisers, officers of the temporary organization of exhibitors headed by Sydney S. Cohen of New York issued additional statements during the past week ex- plaining the reason of the new move- ment. Not Hostile to Advertisers "It is not that the exhibitors feel hos- tile toward the advertisers," Mr. Cohen declared. "It is because certain pro- ducers of industrial motion pictures have collected all sorts of fees from na- tional advertisers for the use of exhib- itors' screens. These same producers would not dare to 'snipe' the sidewalls of our theatres with an advertisement, but they do not hesitate to 'snipe' our screens with paid advertising." "Under the plan of organization now under way, and which has been com- pleted in the states where there are the most exhibitors, it has been arranged for the advertiser to use the screen and for the exhibitor to receive the benefits therefrom. Advertisers are welcome to use the screens as long as productions are of a standard which will provide en- tertainment and interest. Use of Money Explained "So that there will be no misunder- standing of the use for which the money obtained from the showing of advertis- ing film is intended, the exhibitors who are in the plan have announced that every cent of it will go into a common fund, with which members of the league will combat problems of general inter- est. These will include Sunday closing laws, censorship and kindred problem^, as well as a determined and concerted effort to have removed the unjust and burdensome 5 per cent film rental tax. "The time has come when the exhib- itor insists on standing on his own SH A W( OULD 3MAN TE LL? ASK METRO feet," declared Mr. Cohen. "The ex- hibitors will solve their own problems and with a strong organization such as is possible under this plan, they will be enabled to act in all activities independ- ently of the producers." Committee Is Announced The committee now handling the af- fairs of this new move is composed of Sydney S. Cohen, chairman, New York; Sam I. Berman, New York; Charles O'Reilly, New York; Fred J. Herring- ton, Pennsylvania; Sam Bullock, Cleve- land; W. J. Slimm, Cleveland; H. H. Lustig, Cleveland; King Perry, Michi- gan; Peter J. Jeup, Michigan. Organizations have been completed in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan. Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, and other states. Mr. Herring- ton is still touring the country detailing the plan to exhibitors. Seek to Prevent Contracts Special announcements have been sent out to exhibitors all over the coun- try asking them to withhold from con- tracts which offer them "industrial" and "educational" motion pictures free of charge. It is in this way that hundreds of them have been made to uncon- sciously give over their screens for ad- vertising purposes for which only the producer of the films received any profit, it is claimed. M. P. Staulcup Named Metro Art Supervisor M. P. Staulcup, eighteen months a Metro art director, has been appointed supervisor of art interiors by Clifford P. Butler, general superintendent of the studios in Hollywood, California. Mr. Staulcup was Prizma's first art director, and did the same work for the Depart- ment of Public Information's propa- ganda pictures before coming to Metro. Mr. Staulcup was Mme. Nazimova's art director in her production of "The Brat." He had entire charge of the art and technical designing in Bert Lytell's first Screen Classics, Inc., super-feature, "Lombardi, Ltd., and for Viola Dana's second Screen Classic, the Japanese fantasy of "The Willow Tree," now Hearing completion. Robertson-Cole Takes Over Larger Quarters The entire fourth floor of the Mecca Building, at the corner of Forty-eighth street and Broadway, with the excep- tion of a few small rooms, has now been taken over by Robertson-Cole and the Robertson-Cole Distributing Cor- poration. SH A W( OULD 3MAN TE LL? ASK METRO in the Screen Classics, Inc., all-star mo- tion picture from the play. Miss Dunn has left New York for the west coast. Taylor Holmes Shoots Opening Comedy Scenes Use of the Dunwoodie Golf Club in Westchester County and the Delmar estate at Glen Cove, L. I., was obtained by Taylor Holmes Productions, Inc., in making scenes for "Nothing But the Truth," the star's first picture with his own company. Arrangements were made only after a long search that was con- ducted for places that would convinc- ingly embody the fashionable atmos- phere of social life in and about New York City contained in the original stage comedy. "Nothing But the Truth" is the first of a series of pictures which Taylor Holmes will make as an independent producer and release through Metro Pictures Corporation. Two others that will follow are "The Very Idea," the farce-comedy success by William Le Baron and "Nothing But Lies" by Aaron Hoffman. Tom Persons is in charge of the productions for the Taylor Holmes organization. New Griffith Film Titled "Deadline at Eleven" is the title of the new play selected by Albert E. Smith, pres- ident of Vitagraph, as Corinne Griffith's next feature. It is a newspaper story by Ruth Byers, herself a newspaper woman and magazine writer, and Miss Griffith will appear as Helen Stevens, a young society girl who leaves the home of her wealthy parents to make her way in the world as a newspaper reporter and becomes involved in a murder mystery while working on a "story." Stage Star in Film Emma Dunn, who created the role of "Angie" in the orignal stage production of "Old Lady 31" will enact that part 110 Gale Henry Starts Comedy Gale Henry, the elongated comedienne, this week started production on a new reelcr for Bull's Eye. under the general supervision of Bruno J. Becker. The first scenes were taken at the shipbuild- ing docks at San Pedro, Cal., where the company was granted special permission for the work. Miss Henry is supprted by Bill Franey, Hap H. Ward and George Jeske. Guide to Current Pictures STATE RIGHTS ISSUES SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS AMERICAN FILM COMPANY Distributed Through Pathe Exchanges. "A Bachelor's Wife," five reels, with Mary Miles Minter. 'Trixie from Broadway." five reels, with Margarita Fisher. "A Sporting Chance," five reels, with William Russell. "Yvdnne from Pans," five reels, with Mary Miles Minter. The Tiger Lily," five reels, with Margarita Fisher. . "This Hero Stuff." five reels, with William Russell. FLYING "A" SPECIALS "Six Feet Four," six reels, with William Russell. 'The Hellion," five reels, with Margarita Fisher. "Eve in Exile." seven reels, with Charlotte Walker. ARROW FILM CORPORATION "Vigilantes," seven reels. 'Fool's Gold," six reels, with Mitchell Lewis. "The Law of Nature," with Vincent Coleman. : "When the Desert Smiled." five reels, with Xeal Hart. "The Mysterious Mr. Browning," five reels, with Walter Miller. "The Profiteer," six parts, with Alma Hanlon. "The Sunset Princess," five parts, with Marjorie Daw. "Miss Arizona," five parts, with Gertrude Bondhiil. CHRISTIE COMEDIES "Sally's Blighted Career," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Rowdy Ann," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Mary Moves In," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Shades of Shakespeare," two reels, with Alice Lake. "Dangerous Nan McGrew," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "Anybody's Widow." "He Who Hesitates." "A Flirt There Was." "There Goes the Groom." "A Cheerful Liar." "Cupid's Hold-Up." "Lobster Dressing." "Love — In a Hurry." "Reno — All Change." "Hi* Master's Voice." "Home Brew." "Her Bear Escape." "He Married His Wife." two reels, with Edith Roberts. "Wild and Western," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "A Roman Scandal," two reels, with Colleen Moore. EDUCATIONAL FILMS Feb. 10 — "An Indian Love Story," one reel. Feb. 17 — "A Day With Caranza," one reel. Feb. 84 — "What Is a Mexican," one reel. Mar. S — "The Washington Air Patrol," one reel. EQUITY PICTURES "Eyes of Youth," with Clara Kimball Young. FILM MARKET, INC. "The House Without Children," seven reels, with Richard Travers. FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITORS' CIRCUIT, INC. "A Midnight Romance," seven reels with Anita Stewart. "Whom the Gods Would Destroy," six reels. "Daddy Long Legs," seven reels, with Mary Pickford. "Mary Regan," seven reels, with Anita Stewart. "Auction of Souls," eight reels. "Sunnyside," three reels, with Charlie Chaplin. "Bill Apperson's Boy," six reels, with Jack Pickford. "Choosing a Wife," six reels. "Burglar by Proxy," five reels with Jack Pickford. "The Hoodlum," five reels with. Mary Pickford. "A Temperamental Wife," five reels, with Constance Talmage. "Her Kingdom of Dreams." five reels, with Anita Stewart. "Back to God's Country," seven reels, with Nell Shipman. "In Wrong," five reels, with Jack Pickford. FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORP. PARAMOUNT- ARTCR APT PICTURES Aug. SI — "The Witness for the Defense," five reels, with Elsie Ferguson Aug. 31 — 'The Valley of the Giants," five reels, with Wallace Reid. Sept. 7 — "The Misleading Widow," five reels, with Billie Burke. Sept. 7 — "The Market of Souls," six reels, with Dorothy Dalton. Sept. 14 — "The Third Kiss," five parts, with Vivian Martin. Sept. 14 — "The Miracle Man," eight reels, with Tom Meighan. Sept. 21 — "Told in the Hills," six reels, with Robt. Warwick. Sept. 21 — "Stepping Out," five reels, with Enid Bennett. Sept. 28 — "Widow by Proxy," five reels, with Marguerite Clark. Sept. 28 — "Eggcrate Wallop," five reels, with Charles Ray. Oct. 5 — "In Mizzouri," five reels, with Robert Warwick. Oct. 5 — "The Life Line," five reels, Tourneur production. Oct. 12 — "The Lottery Man." five reels, with Wallace Reid. Oct. 12 — "The Grim Game." with Houdini. Oct. 19 — "Why Smith Left Home," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. Oct. 19 — "Sadie Love," five reels, with Rillie Burke. Oct. 26 — "His Official Fiancee," five reels, with Vivian Martin. Oct. 26— "The Teeth of Tiger." with All Star Cast. Oct. 26 — "John Petticoats," five reels, with Wm. S. Hart. Nov. 2 — "Turning the Tables," five reels, with Dorothy Gish. Nov. 2 — "L'Apache," five reels, with Dorothy Dalton. Nov. 9 — "Luck in Pawn," five reels, with Marguerite Clark. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. N'ov. Nov. Nov. Nov. 9 — "Crooked Straight," five reels, with Chas. Ray. 9 — "What Every Woman Learns, ".five reels, with Enid Bennett. 16 — "Male and Female," six reels', all star cast. 16 — "23i4 Hours Leave," five reels, with MacLean and May. 23 — "The Invisible Bond," five reels, with Irene Castle. 23 — "It Pays to Advertise," five reels with Bryant Washburn. 23 — "The Miracle of Love," five reels. 30 — "Counterfeit," five reels, with Elsie Ferguson. 30 — "Scarlet Days" (D. W. Griffith production). ONE AND TWO REEL COMEDIES 7 — Arbuckle, "Backstage." 7 — Briggs, "Skinny School and Scandal," one reel. 14 — Sennett, "Back to the Kitchen," two reels. 14 — Briggs, "Sprise Party N'Everything," one reel. 21 — Briggs, "A Rainy Day," one reel. 28— Briggs, "The Fotygraft Gallery." 5 — Briggs, "Saturday." 12— Sennett, "Up in Alf's Place." 12 — Briggs, "Secret Society." 19 — Briggs, "Fire, Fire," one reel. 26 — Sennett, "Salome vs. Shenandoah," two reels. 26 — Briggs, "Skinnay's Sick." one reel. 2 — Briggs, "City Dude," one reel. 9 — Sennett, "His Last False Step," two reels. 9 — Briggs, "Company," one reel. 16 — Arbuckle, "The Hayseed," two reels. 16 — Briggs. "Burglars," one reel. 23 — Sennett, "Down on the Farm." two reels. 23 — Briggs, "Before the1 Circus," one reel. 30 — Truex, "A Night of the Dub," two reels. 30 — Briggs, "Before the -Circus," one reel. FOX FILM CORPORATION BIG PRODUCTIONS "Checkers." "Evangeline." "Kathleen Mavourneen." "Should a Husband Forgive"? r ' WILLIAM FARNUM SERIES "Wolves of the Night." "The Last of the Duanes." "Wings of the Morning." Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. TOM MIX SERIES "Rough Riding Romance.' "The Speed Maniac." "The Daredevil." "The Feud." 'La Belle Russe." 'Lure of Ambition." THEDA BARA SERIES FOX ENTERTAINMENTS "BToken Commandments." with Gladys Brockwell. "The Winning Stroke," with George Walsh. "Sacred Silence." with William Russell. "Ch?sing Rainbows," with Gladys Brockwell. "Eastward Ho!" with William Russell. "Thieves," with Gladys Brockwell. "The Devil's Riddle," with Gladys Brockwell. "The Splendid Sin," with Madlaine Traverse. "The Merry-Go-Round." with Peggy Hyland. ' The Lost Princess," with Ray and Fair. "Snares of Paris," with Madlaine Traverse. "A Girl in Bohemia," with Peggy Hyland. "Vagabond Luck," with Ray and Fair. "Lost Money." with Madlaine Traverse. "The Web of Chance," with Peggy Hyland. "Tin Pan Alley," with Ray and Fair. SUNSHINE COMEDIES "Her First Kiss." "Dabbling in Society." "His Naughty Wife." "Wild Waves and Women." "The Yellow Dog Catcher." "Footlight Maids." "Back to Nature Girls." "The Schoolhouse Scandal." "The Roaming Bath Tub." "Chicken a la Cabaret." "Hungry Lions and Tender Hearts." "Sheriff Nell's Comeback." "Her Naughty Wink." "Her Private Husband." "Her Heart Snatcher." MUTT AND JEFF "Everybody's Doing It." "In Spain." "Honest Book Agents." "The Chamber Maid's Revenge." "Pretzel Fanning." "Why Mutt Left the Village." ' "Was She a Wife?" 'A Glutton for Punishment." "Land of the Midnight Sun." Ill EXHIBITORS HERAL.D "Berth of a Nation." "In the Movies." "The Pawnbrokers." HARRY GARSON "The Unpardonable Sin," right reels, with Blanche Sweet. "The Hushed Hour," five reels, with Blanche Sweet. GAYETY COMEDIES Oct. 20 — "Dropped Into Scandal." Oct. 27— "Are Flirts Foolish?" Nov. 3— "Dark and Cloudy." Nov. 10 — "Hits and Misses." Nov. 17 — "Bride and Gloomy." Nov. 24 — "Love Sick at Sea." GOLDWYN PICTURES CORPORATION GOLDWTN STAR PRODUCTIONS uly 8 — "Through the Wrong Door," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. «ly 91 — The Peace of Roaring River," six reels, with Pauline Frederick. Aug. t — "Upstairs," five reels, with Mabel Normand. Aug. 17 — "Heartsease." five reels, with Tom Moore. "Lord and Lady Algy," six reels, with Tom Moore. "The World and Its Woman," seven reels, with Geraldine Farrar. "The Girl from Outside," seven reels, Rex Beach Special. "Strictly Confidential," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. "Bonds of Love," five reels, with Pauline Frederick. "Almost a Husband," five reels, with Will Rogers. "Jinx," five reels, with Mabel Normand. "The Cup of Fury," five reels, Rupert Hughes Special. GOLDWYN SPECIALS "For the Freedom of the East" (Betzwood), six reels. "The Border Legion," six reels. "The Eternal Magdalene," six reels. FORD EDUCATIONAL WEEKLY uly •—"The Fable of the Olire and the Orange." uly 18 — "School Days." uly 20 — "Town of Up and Down." uly 17 — "Sweetness." CAPITOL COMEDIES July 18 — "Chasing Rainbeaux," two reels, with "Smiling Bill" Parson*. Inly 27 — "After the Bawl," two reels, with Carter De Haven. Aug. 24 — "Honeymooning," two reels, with Carter De Haven. BENNISON STAR SERIES "Sandy Burke of the U-Bar U," five reels, with Louis Ben..,. "Speedy Meade," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "The Road Called Straight," five reels, with i^outs Bennison "High Pockets," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "Lord Jim," five reels, with Louis Bennison. GOLDWYN-BRAY PICTOGRAPHS Sept. 7— "The Samoan Follies." Sept. 14 — "Meet Nick Carter." Sept. 21 — "The Uncrowned King of Brazil." Sept. 28 — "Women Fire Fighters." Oct. 5— "Bird Cliff Dwellers." Oct. 12 — "Amazon Trails." Oct. 19 — "Three Men In a Boat and a Turtle." Oct. 26 — "Gold Mining in Heart of a Great City." HALLMARK PICTURES CORP. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love, Honor and ?," five reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Phantom Honeymoon," six reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Heart of a Gypsy," five reels, with Florence Billings. "High Speed," five reels, with Edward Earle and Gladys Hulette. SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS "Romance of the Air," seven reels, with Lieut. Bert Hall. "A Woman's Experience," five reels, with Mary Boland. "When My Ship Comes In," five reels, with Jane Grey. "When a Woman Strikes," five reels, with Ben Wilson. "The Other Man's Wife," six reels. "Wanted for Murder," six reels, with Elaine Hammerstein. "The Littlest Scout," five reels, with Violet Blackton. "A House Divided," six reels, with Sylvia Bremer. "The Challenge of Chance," seven reels, with Jess Willard. The Rothapfel Unit. CHAPLIN CLASSICS Oct. 5— "The Floorwalker," with Charles Chaplin. Nov. 16 — "The Fireman," with Charles Chaplin. Dec. 28— "The Vagabond," with Charles Chaplin. W. W. HODKINSON CORPORATION Distributed through the Pathe Exchange. ARTCO PRODUCTIONS "As a Man Thinks." five reels, with Leah Baird. "The ■ Volcano," six reels, with Leah Baird. "The Capitol," six reels, with Leah Baird. ZANE GREY PICTURES, INC. "Desert Gold," seven reels, with E. K. Lincoln. BENJAMIN B. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS "The Westerners," seven reels, with Roy Stewart. "The Sagebrusher," seven reels, by Emerson Hough. J. PARKER READ, JR., PRODUCTIONS "Sahara," seven reels, with Louise Glaum. DEITRICH-BECK, INC. ' "The Bandbox," six reels, with Doris Kenyon. ROBERT BRUNTON PRODUCTIONS "A White Man's Chance," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. "The Joyous Liar," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. NATION AL-BILLIE RHODES PRODUCTIONS "The Blue Bonnet." six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Hearts & Masks," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Mary Minds Her Business," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love Honor And?" five reels, with Stuart Holmes and Ellen Cassidy. IVAN FILM PRODUCTIONS "Life or Honor," seven reels, with Leah Baird. MAURICE TOURNEUR PRODUCTIONS "Woman." "My Lady's Garter." "Broken Butterfly." METRO PICTURE CORPORATION June 2 — "Almost Married," five reels, with May Allison, une 9 — "Some Bride," five reels, with Viola Dana, one 10— "Fools and Their Money," five reels, with Emmy Wehiem. une 28 — "One Thing at a Time, O'Day," five reels, with Bert Lytell [une 80 — "The Uplifters," five reels, with May Allison. July 7 — "God's Outlaw," five reels, with Francis X. Bushman. July 14 — "In His Brother's Place," five reels, with Hale Hamilton. July 21 — "The Microbe," five reels, with Viola Dana. Aug. 4 — "Easy to Make Money," five reels, with Bert Lytell. Aug. 11 — "A Favor to a Friend," five reels, with Emmy Wehlen. Aug. 18 — "The Four Flusher," five reels, with Hale Hamilton. SCREEN CLASSICS, INC., SPECIALS "The Great Romance," six reels, with Harold Lockwood. "Shadows of Suspicion," five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "A Man of Honor." five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "The Man Who Stayed at Home." seven reels, with all-star cast. "Lombardi, Ltd.," seven reels, with Bert Lytell. "Please Get Married," six reels, with Viola Dana. "Fair and Warmer," six reels, with May Allison. NAZIMOVA PRODUCTIONS "Toys of Fate," seven reels, with Nazimova. "Eye for Eye, seven reels, with Nazimova. "Out of the Fog," seven reels, with Nazimova. "The Red Lantern," seven reels, with Nazimova "The Brat," seven reels, with Nazimova. PATHE EXCHANGE, INC. PATHE SPECIAL FEATURES Aug. 81 — "The Thirteenth Chair." six reels, with Yvonne Delva. Sept. 14 — "The Virtuous Model, six reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. Sept. 28 — "The Twin Pawns." six reels, with Mae Murray. Dec. 14 — "The A. B. C. of Love," six reels, with Mae Murray. FRANK KEENAN PRODUCTIONS Aug. 17 — "The World Aflame," six reels, with Frank Keenan. Sept. 21 — "The False Code." five reels, with Frank Keenan. Dec. 7 — "Brothers Divided," five reels, with Frank Keenan. VIRGINIA PEARSON PHOTOPLAYS. INC. June 8 — "The Bishop's Emeralds," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. Oct. 5 — "Impossible Catherine," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. ALBERT CAPELLANI PRODUCTIONS, INC. June 22 — "Oh, Boyl" six reels, with Creighton Hale and June Caprice. Aug. 24 — "The Love Cheat," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale. Oct. 12 — "A Damsel in Distress," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale Nov. 16 — "The Right to Lie," seven reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. J. STUART BLACKTON PRODUCTIONS Oct. 19 — "The Moonshine Trail," six reels, with Sylvia Breamer and Robt. Gordon. Nov. 30 — "Dawn," six reels, with Sylvia Bremer and Robert Gordon. J. D. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS Nov. 9 — "A Woman of Pleasure," seven reels, with Blanche Sweet. Dec. 21 — "The Prince and Betty," five reels, with William Desmond. HOBART HENLEY PRODUCTIONS Nov. 2 — "The Gay Old Dog," six reels, with John Cumberland. EXTRA SELECTED STAR PHOTOPLAYS May 4 — 'The Cry of the Weak." five reels, with Fannie Ward, lune 1 — "All Wrong." five reels, with Bryant Washburn. June 29 — "The Profiteers," five reels, with Fannie Ward. PIONEER FILM CORPORATION "The Boomerang." with Henry B. Walthall. "Virtuous Sinners." REALART PICTURES SPECIAL FEATURES "Soldiers of Fortune" (Dwan), seven reels. "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" (Chautard), six reels. STAR PRODUCTIONS "Anne of Green Gables," six reels, with Mary Miles Mintec. "Erstwhile Susan," five reels, with Constance Binney. ROBERTSON-COLE PICTURES SUPERIOR PICTURES Oct. — "Kitty Kelly, M. D.," with Bessie Barriscale. Oct. — "Poor Relations," Brentwood production. 12 i EXHIBITORS HERALD Oct. — "The Gray Wolf's Ghost," with H. B. Warner. Nov. — "The Illustrious Prince," with Sessue Hayakawa. Nov. — "The Blue Bandanna," with William Desmond. Nov. — "A Fugitive From Matrimony," with H. B. Warner. Dec. — "Where There's a Will," Brentwood production. Dec. — "Beckoning Roads," with Bessie Barriscale. Dec. — "The Tong Man," with Sessue Hayakawa. Dec. — "The Golden Hope," with Edith Storey. SPECIALS Oct. — "The Open Door," with all star cast. Nov. — (Tourneur). "The Broken Butterfly." Dec. — (Gasnier), "The Beloved Cheater." SUPREME COMEDIES Dec. — "Good Night Judge." Dec. — "Struck Out." MART IX JOHXSO.V PICTURES Dec. — "Tulagi a White Spot in a Black Land." Dec. — "Through the Isles of the New Hebrides." Dec. — "The Home of the Hula Hula.'" ADVENTURE SCENICS Dec. — "The Forbidden River." Dec. — "Just Over Yonder." "Dec. — "I and the Mountain." STRAND COMEDIES Aug. 3 — "Betty and the Boys." Aug. 10 — "Good Gracious Grace." Aug. 17— "Meet the Wife." Aug. 24— "Who's With the Baby?" Aug. 31 — "His Love Letters." Sept. 7 — "A Fair Sample." Sept. 14 — "Betty's Back Again." Sept. 21— "Truly Rural." Sept. 28 — "Mixed Drinks." Oct. — "His Double Exposure." Oct. — "Speed." Oct. — "Her Winning Way." Oct. — "Careful Kate." Nov. — "Too Many Bills." Nov. — "Is Your Sweetheart False?" SELECT PICTURES CORPORATION SELZXICK PICTURES "Upstairs and Down," five reels, with Olive Thomas. "The Spite Bride," five reels, with Olive Thomas. "The Perfect Lover," five reels, with Eugene O'Brien. "The Country Cousin," five reels, with Elaine Hammerstein. "Sealed Hearts," five reels, with Eugene O'Brien. "The Glorious Lady," five reels, with Olive Thomas. "Piccadilly Jim," five reels, with Owen Moore. SELECT PICTURES "Ruling Passions," with Julia Dean and Edwin Arden. "The Hidden Truth," six reels, with Anna Case. "Over There," six reels, with Anna Q. Nilsson and Charles Richmao. "Break the News to Mother," six reels. "Thr Undercurrent." five reels, with Guy Erapey. "A Scream in the Night." six reels, with Ruth Budd. "Happiness a la Mode," five reels, with Constance Talmadge. "His Bridal Night," five reels, with Alice Brady. "Faith of the Strong," five reels, with Mitchell Lewis. "Isle of Conquest," five reels, with Norma Talmadge. WM. L. SHERRY SERVICE Available at all Hallmark Exchanges "Marriage for Convenience," six reels, with Catherine Calvert. "Calibre .88." "Twilight," six reels, with Doris Kenyon. "Love and the Law," six reels. (Edgar Lewis production.) TRIANGLE FILM CORPORATION Aug. 8 — "The Lyon's Mail," five reels, with Henry B. Irving. Aug. 10 — "Fruits of Passion," five reels, with Alice Mann. Aug. 17 — "One Against Many," five reels, with Anita King. Aug. 24 — "Her Greatest Performance," five reels, with Ellen Terry. Aug. 81 — "Black Eyes," (Special) five reels, with Taylor Holmes. TYRAD PICTURES, INC. "And the Children Pay." seven reels, with Garrett Hughes. "Your Wife and Mine," five reels. "Human Passions," five reels. The Red Viper," six reels, with Garett Hughes. "It Happened in Paris," five reels. "Broken Hearts," five reels. UNITED ARTISTS CORPORATION Sept. 1 — "His Majesty, the American," eight reels, with Douglas Fairbanks. Oct. 20 — "Broken Blossoms," six reels, D. W. Griffith production. UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. COMPANY UNIVERSAL FEATURES Aug. 4 — "The Petal on Current," six reels, with Mary MacLaren. Aug. 18 — "The Ace of the Saddle," six reels, with Harry Carey. Aug. 25 — "The Trap." six reels, with Olive Tell. Sept. 8 — "The Woman Under Cover." six reels, with Fritzi Brunette. Sept. IS — "The Sundown Trail," six reels, with Monroe Salisbury. Sept 22 — "Common Property," six reels, with Robt. Anderson. Oct. 6 — "Loot." six reels, with Ora Carew. Oct. 13 — "Bonnie. Bonnie Lassie," six reels, with Mary MacLaren. Oct. 20 — "The Brute Breaker." six reels, with Frank Mayo. Nov. 3 — "The Rider of the Law." six reels, with Harry Carey. Nov. 10 — "The Trembling Hour," six reels with Helen Jerome Eddy. Nov. 17 — "His Divorced Wife," five reels, with Monroe Salisbury. Dec. 1 — "Under Suspicion." five reels, with Ora Carew. Dec. 8 — "Lasca," five reels, with Edith Roberts and Frank Mayo. Dec. 15 — "A Gun Fighting Gentleman," five reels, with Harry Carey. JEWEL PRODUCTIONS "The Right to Happiness," eight reels, with Dorothy Phillips. "Forbidden." six reels, with Mildred Harris. "Blind Husbands," seven reels, with Eric Stroheim. VITAGRAPH "A Girl at Bay," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Cupid Forecloses," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Hornets' Nest," five reels, with Earle Williams. "A Girl at Bay," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Cupid Forecloses," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Hornet's Nest," five reels, with Earle Williams. "The Man Who Won," five reels, with Harry Morey. "Shadows of the Past." five reels, with Anita Stewart. "The Girl Woman," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Bramble Bush," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "Over the Garden Wall," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Wreck " five parts, with Anita Stewart. "The Gray Towers Mystery," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Winchester Woman," five reels, with Alice Joyce. "In Honor's Web," five reels, with Harry T. Morey. "A Fighting Colleen," five reels, with Bessie Love. "The Black Gate," five reels, with Earle Williams. "The Combat," five reels, with Anita Stewart. "The Golden Shower," five reels, with Gladys Leslie. "The Tower of Jewels," five reels, with Corinne Griffith. "The Darkest Hour," five reels, with Harry T. Morey. "Pegeen," five reels, with Bessie Love. VITAGRAPH SPECIALS "The Third Degree,' seven reels, with Alice Joyce. "Daring Hearts," six reels, with Bushman and Bayne. "The Gamblers." six reels, with Harry T. Morey. "The Wolf," six reels, with Earle Williams. "The Climbers." six reels, with Corinne Griffith. "The Vengeance of Durand," seven reels, with Alice Joyce. O. HENRY SERIES "The Guardian of Accolade," two reels, with Agnes Ayres. "The Friendly Call," two reels, with Walter Miller. "The Day Resurgent," two reels, with Gypsy O'Brien. "The Roads We Take," two reels, with Jay Morley. WORLD FILM CORPORATION July 7 — "The American Way," five reels, with Arthur Ashley. July 14 — "Dust of Desire," five reels, with Ruby de Remer. July 21 — "A Broadway Saint," five reels, with Montagu Love. July 28 — "Bringing Up Betty," five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Aug. 4— "Coax Me," five reels, with June Elvidge. Aug. 11 — "The Praise Agent," five reels, with Arthur Ashley. Aug. 18 — "The Girl Alaska," five reels, with Lottie Kruie. Aug. 25 — "The Man Without a Name," five reels, with Corene Uziell. Sept. 1 — "The Battler," five reels, with Earl Metcalf. Sept. 8 — "His Father's Wife," five reels, with June Elvidge. Sept. 15 — "Forest Rivals," five reels, with Arthur Ashley. Sept. 22 — "Where Bonds Are Loosed." five reels, with Dixie Lee. Sept. 29 — "Miss Crusoe," five reels, with Virginia Hammond. Oct. 6 — "The Oakdale Affair," five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Oct. 13 — "Woman of Lies," five reels, with June Elvidge. Oct. 20 — "The Black Circle." five reels, with Creighton Hale. Oct 27 — "Arizona Catclaw," five reels, with Edyth Sterling. Nov. 3 — "Me and Capt. Kidd," five reels, with Evelyn Greeley. Nov. 10 — "The Poison Pen." five reels, with June Elvidge. Nov. 17 — "You Never Know Your Luck," five reels, with House Peters. Nov. 24 — "Dad's Girl," five reels, with Jackie Saunders. PRIZMA "Catalina," one reel. "Everywhere," one reel, "l^odel Girls," one reel. "Front," one reel. "Kiddies," one reel. "China," one reel. "Birds and Flowers," one reel. "Alaska Revelations," one reel. Glacier Park; Hawaii; Apache Trail; Old Faithful. ESS AN AY-CHAPLIN COMEDIES "A Night in the Show," two reels. "Shanghaied," two reels. "The Bank," two reels. "Police," two reels. "Triple Trouble," two reels. NEWS REELS Kinograms, one-reel, every Tuesday and Saturday. UNITED PICTURE THEATRES une 8 — "Playthings of Passion," five reels, with Kitty Gordon, une 29 — "The Woman Under Oath." five reels, with Florence *-'« Aug. 10 — "A Man's Fight," five reels, with Dustin Farnum, Oct. 19 — "Her Game." five reels, with Florence Reed. Oct. 19 — "Starting Out in Life," Cuckoo Comedy, two reels, with Bobby Burns. CURRENT SERIALS UNIVERSAL, "The Midnight Man," with James J. Corbett. VITAGRAPH, "Perils of Thunder Mountain," with Antonio Moreno. UNIVERSAL, "Elmo the Mighty," with Elmo Lincoln. BURSTON, "The Mystery of 13," Francis Ford. VITAGRAPH, "Smashing Barriers," with William Duncan. PATHE, "The Great Gamble," with Charles Hutchison and Anne Luther. S. L. K., "The Fatal Fortune," with Helen Holmes. PATHE, "Bound and Gagged." with Geo. Seitz & Marg. Courtot PATHE, "The Black Secret." with Pearl White and Walter McGrail. HALLMARK. "The Trail of the Octopus," with Ben Wilson. ARROW, "The Masked Rider." with Ruth Stonehouse. UNIVERSAL. "The Great Radium Mystery," with Eileen Sedgwick. ARROW, "Lightning Bryce." with Ann Little and Tack Hoxie. HALLMARK, "The Sign of the Rat," with Claire Anderson. 1 113 EXHIBITORS HERALD Very Special— For December Only Figure up what you pay each month for banners. You'll save all that when you have this Perpetual Banner — ready for any unex- pected change — easily read — elegant — and weatherproof. What it saves will pay for it in a few months. Here's a handsome sign, with interchangeable letters (not lighted) to extend over sidewalk, hang under canopy, or on front of building. It takes the place of the banners you now must have made for every show — looks better — can be read farther — and cuts out all expense of making banners. Practically indestructible — changed on a min- ute's notice — no disappointments when you get an unexpected film. A money-saver, and good advertising at the same time. Specifications One or two line readers. 158 metal panels, with assorted letters, and blank spacers. 14 metal panels with punctuation marks and "&," "In," and "The." 2 boxes to hold letters, etc. Letters are white enamel. Background of all panels, and sign, finished in black, painted and baked. Will not rub off. Guaranteed not to peel. Borders in brown, red, or any color desired. Special December Price 2 Line Double Face, 12 ft. long, 32 in. high, 172 panels, all complete, F. O. B. Chicago $157.50 2 Line Single Face, same as above, 100 panels, all complete, F.O. B. Chicago, 112.50 Cash with your order, additional 5% discount. EXHIBITORS SUPPLY COMPANY MAirf OFFICE, 845 SO. WABASH AVE., CHICAGO Branch Sales Offices Chicago Indianapolis Milwaukee 407-408 Mailers Bldg. 157 N. Illinois St. 133 Second Street EASTMAN FILM is so safe -guarded in its man- ufacture, so carefully tested at every stage, that it never has an opportunity to be anything but right. Identifiable by the words "Eastman" and "Kodak" on the film margin EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY ROCHESTER, N. Y. OUR POLICY Our policy is to serve and to satisfy our patrons. We deal in courtesy, service and confidence as well as in merchandise. We endeavor to handle only goods of the highest quality and such goods as are made by responsible Manufacturers. AMUSEMENT SUPPLY COMPANY Room 302 Mailers Building 5 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Dealers in Motiograph Moving Picture Machines, National Carbons, Hertner Transverters, Minusa Screens and All Supplies for the Theatre We Sell on the Partial Payment Plan Effective Film Insurance for MANUFACTURERS AND EXCHANGE MANAGERS All new films should be properly treated before they are permitted to run through the projection machine. My special procees of seasoning ami Boftentng of new films will positively toughen, creating an efficiently durable and long-lived film. Many of Chicago's leading exchange managers will at- test "to the excellent results of my method, which Is dons by band, glvlag personal service to every film treat* 1. A. TEITEL 1 1 2 Nsrlb La Salic Si., CHICAGO Telephone Franklia 3S1 ( RE-NU-FILM THE WONDER OF THE FILM WORLD Makes old, dry films soft, pliable, clean and clear, like new; or money back. $1.00 a bottle postpaid UNITED M.-P. INTERESTS 214 Mutual Life Building Buffalo, New York 114 YOU NEVER THINK OF THE J3THER FELLOW'S SISTER! ^Jt isjauline Frederick speak- ing-speaking across the swift currents of temptation in JOoncion- speaking on the tkreshotd of lux- ury and sin - speaking to her million sisters the World oUer, ivho hold their honor (uglier than the luxury of shame - captivating i/ou one mtnute with the match- less quality of her beauty -Wring- ing your heart the next with the utter hopelessness and helpless- ness of her struggle -but re-affirm- inq at last your belief in (lie no- bilitg of Woman kood, as ske< cries out in a voice that seems to break tlie silence of tkc screen — CJin going- going back, where O betoiiq ft SAMUEL G OLDWYN PRE SE NTS PAULINE FREDERICK THE LOVES OF LETTY. BY SIR ARTHUR WING PINERO DIRECTED BY FRANK LLOYD GOLBWYN PICTVRES CORPORATION . QOLDWYN Jack Eaton Manager of Newark's Strand Theatre says Harold Lloyd puts over his own comedy situations in an individual way seldom found on "the Screen! " !h The Strand Theatre, together with most of the leading theatres of the country, is playing the MROLD LLOYD TWO EEELCOMEDES Mr. Eaton further says "His stories have an element of refinement that is seldom found in comedies, and at the same time they don't sacrifice speed and action, which is an elementary essential in mak- ing comedies move along and gather laughs with the audience. There is no question but that the Harold Lloyd Two Reel Comedies will make good." ONE COMEDY EVERY EOUR#iF« i ft rl i ft I f 1 1 mmm km 1 > N IS' 2 . > V f> 1 > > > > Y * f r t » I , N > V N ' " Y > > < ''/.kkkk ^ 1 V \ N ' N iyy ' i i ii I , 1 ■ y ' 'An •ff'ttt tftiftt ttriy \ < \ \ , V J ' fj \ v \ \ \ \ 1 1 1 1 1 1 I VVV 1 \ > y \ \ y / k >> > \ V'r/ry if 'VVV , VI-' '. . v \\\J\ l I i J \ \ \ \ ' ' YV 'WW. ' ' ' ' t I I Y' 'K 'if i ' VAN l/yy 1 1 -1 I ' - 'WW ' ' \ \ \ \ \ v\ \i> f.fi (f '.ft •YKrWV '. Y t ' i f i ' 1 1 f ' 1 1 y v ■ \ \ \ V: •/ ) > v N " (', I' I M [ f # M >A . ,. 3 })'' V ' ' i/ / 1 1 fl 'I'V.K.V.Kl' V' '■<■ ' ( '> . "''J't'VK^V .(tftfft'fy \ \ N \ > \ V \ \ \ S ii i 'VVVVry fft ' ' ' ' WJL • jf ',///, ' \ \ v \ \ \ I \ \ \, tf'fttttff" \ *> \ , 'niii Y. '<" t -Y < ^KKK ' ' ' i ' ' I I / I / , r V.KVV. ' ' v i \ > v v \ ty.w.y.y.ry \ ■ 1 "\ i >v x \J\f\Jv 'CK^KK' C M r. v r.r rYl' 'Y ' ' KCC k V VVV ,s ,v ,v ,s \ 1 ' J't'rttW t t tt ftrtt tt yyy ' i > /\ /VV ft i ttt a III t ft ff ft tir/tth iyy V ' '.kKr ' ' ' ' IV ' /. \]\Tsl\ > \ \ \ \ \ \ \ N \ ' t f /v tW ■Vttftt'fft . ,A tfffttft yvttf tht 'W ty 1 1 f t ft ftv \ \ \ \ I 50. DEARBORN ST. M ARTI S J QV I G LkY. P IT rt r. I S " r- it Entered as second class matter, August io, 1917, at the Post Office at Chicago, III., under the Act of March 3, 1879 0\F POi JAR A YEAR // JESSE L.LASKV . presents verywoman (BY ARRANGEMENT Witt HENRY W. SAVAGE ) n. ! N "Art thou indeed Truth 1 I did not \now thou vuert so old and ugly." EVERYWOMAN The Most Beautiful Love Story Ever Told Directed by George Melford. Wich Violet Heming, Theodore Roberts and Wanda Hawley. From the play by Walter Browne. Scenario by Will M. Ritchey. A J ] A i r I) • ■ \ Sessue HavaKawa uayanawa TONGMAN HAWOR.TH °D ireeteci Joy Willi SlITL Worthing on Available at all "ROBERTSON-COLE "EXCHANGES. 1 ATT T\OBEHTSQ3»l— GOIX EXQHA^JQES ssue kawa TQNGMAN HAWOKTH ^ /reefed -^Y Willi SlITL Available at all "ROBERTSON-COLE "EXCHANGES EXHIBITORS HERALD ' \/6ui MtgAf Ib TfappincdA lanAsi stinM ffie greatest piclivied of a decade.7A\ee days at /Ufffi water mwtA attendance eafall/iified my AigQeat A.etd. rfmxin/ion the a£ove UfiM p&*a4ii te a**/ It Saied on pojj/i/iv facA (/oe &t/reJi SI. Carle Letemmle fio&omy in. THE YEARS MOST TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS PRODUCED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ALLEN HOLUBAR. VNIVGRSAI- JEWEL SUPCR. PRODUCTION 3 DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS' new picture WHEN THE CLOUDS ROLL BY" is desired by every theatre in the country, for a Fairbanks film is an asset and a business-builder for any house. If playing dates, sequence of run and price can be arranged to mutual satisfaction, any theatre, any- where, can book this picture. And in booking "When the Clouds Roll By," no other picture enters into consideration. You book this one picture only; you do not find yourself compelled to book a series of Fairbanks pictures, or the pictures of any other artists to get this one production. In other words, you can rent any picture you choose, without a contract, promise or obligation beyond the picture you are booking. PICTURES P FIGURES 1 17 170 1,700 17,000 Compare 1" with 17,000." Yours is only one of the seventeen thousand motion picture theatres in the United States. Compare the one person who stops at your box- office to buy a ticket with the number of persons who pass without stopping. —-Then realize that SELZNICK PICTURES National Advertising Campaign reaches virtually every one of those passers-by, and that by the law of proved averages a profitable percentage of would- be passers-by are sure to stop and buy a ticket if you are presenting a SELZNICK PICTURE. Advertising does it. PREVENT FUTURE REGRETS- BOOK SELZNICK PICTURES NOW E>y Elsie Janis and Edmund Gouldin^ Direction-Robert Ellis Made by Selzniclv Distributed by Select' -I€s a Deluge of Delightful Devilment PROTECTION Any man who builds a theatre and then fails to insure it against fire, is criminally careless. And the sameTgoes for any man who builds up a business in that theatre and fails to protect that business against forces far more ruinous than fire. National Picture Theatres, Inc., offers every exhibitor the chance to protect his business and _to make it grow — make, it grow not only in volume but in the propor- tion of profit. National Picture Theatres, Inc., is, in a sense, a form of business insurance in which the insured makes money by being insured. As an exhibitor who has a business, the least you can do toward protecting that business is to investigate. NATIONAL PICTURE THEATRES, Inc. Lewis J. Selznick President 729 Seventh Avenue New York REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK Advisory Director * BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZN1CK, Advisory Director . BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York City REPUBLIC pictures) ROMANY WHERE LOVE RUNS WILD " Produced by HARM A PHOTOPLAYS Ltd. REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK, Advisory Director * BRITON N. BUSCH, President 130 West 46th Street New York C,ty C U JVL Jhe FIRST! is the first of fheQ ■vOorldyfamous DRURY-IANTE MELODRAMAS Screen Classics, Onc.iiOill make during the coming gear JM. G - (jheJuint fir 'Treasure at the Bottom of the Sea ! ^IheHace of 'Death be- tween an Jbutomohile and a cUoiorcgcle !! (lhe Henrvj Jiamilton. directed by Slag C.Smalht)ood. Scenario by Jl.S./gVino. METRO PICTURES CORPORATION Qvanfs {Imperial 'Pictures. Qmkbed, SxcUxsvOe distributors throughout the British Smpire. c — >. Sir'William tfwrg ; cManaginy ^Director. EXHIBITORS HERALD ■I ' — ' ' P WHICH LOUIS i .B. THE INFERIOR MAYER Presents THE QUESTION WHICH <* IS THE INFERIOR SEX ? • - „ MEANS MONEY TO YOU K THE$TARCHARniNG MILDRED HARRIS CHAPLIN IN THE MOST WIDELY DISCUSSED PL'AY OF A GEMERATlON . . . THE INFERIOR SEX Give the Patrons of Your Theatre the Opportunity to Earn $500 You Simply Have to Call their Attention to the following Contest Conditions of Contest r «oo WILL BE PAID FOR THE BEST ANSWER TO THE WORLDS Most puzzling question , WHICH THE INFERIOR SEX" m • • sal The Chaplin-Mayer Pictures Co., Inc.. who are presenting MILDRED HARRIS CHAPLIN in a series of motion picture productions, offer a prize of $530 in cash for the best letter answer- ing the question Which is "THE INFERIOR SEX"? The contest is open to everyone — man, woman or child. There is no entry fee. The only re- quirement is that the answer shall be in a form of a letter addressed to MILDRED HARRIS CHAPLIN 6 WEST 48TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY and that the letter shall be not more than three hundred words in length. The contest will close at 5 P. M. on Feb- ruary 28th, 1920. The award will be given to the letter which in the opinion of the judges is the best argument to upset the time-worn tradition that woman is man's inferior and proving that woman is not the inferior of the sexes. The judges will be Mildred Harris Chaplin, William H. Leahy, head of the scenario department of her company, and a representative from one of the leading motion picture magazines, appointed by the editor. Mildred Harris Chaplin will send an auto- graphed photo of herself to each person en- tering the contest immediately upon receipt of his or her letter. Florence ReecU tEg Eternal J] flodernV/oman's :e's Qreabst Question^ "Mother Pr(?sc?ntinQ the most ' popular emotional star ojdaQe and scree a in, her greatest role. Superbly produced with a supporting castof peculiar ^ excellence: V/hen you show it you'll have to dust off the S.R.0 Siq EXHIBITORS H E R A LP THE MORNING TELEGRAPH SUNDAY NOVLMBUR JO, IJlJ Come, let us reason together HERE are few business problem 3 which cannot be straightened out if the two interested parties will sit down and reason together. Your problem, as an exhibitor of motion pictures, is to secure attractions' that will not only bring in money to your house, but which will by their quality, by their interest, by their suspense and genuine entertain- ment value satisfy each patron to the end that attendance upon your theatre will become a fixed habit. In this manner your playhouse becomes a community centre where people naturally turn to find amusement. As soon as your house has established its character and is fully identified as the place where real enjoyment is sure to be found, your next step is to maintain that standard so that your success may be continuous, your profits large and your reputation of the best. During the present season I have caused to be released four great motion picture specials, which absolutely guarantee success, prestige and satisfaction to every exhibitor of motion pictures. Beginning with CHECKERS, which has brought a tidal wave of prosperity to theatres everywhere, and which continues as one of the g eatest successes of the year, I presented Theda Bara in KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN, EVANGELINE with Miriam Cooper in the title role, and then SHOULD A HUSBAND FORGIVE? a 1920 Cinemelodrama reaching into the hearts of all the world. Many exhibitors have already profited by booking these pictures for long runs, and then advertising them and exploiting them with that enthusiasm and industry which turn successes into triumphs. 1 desire, therefore, that such exhibitors as have not as yet played these attractions should reason together with me by means of this frank talk. Entertainments like these, conceived in showmanship, matured with rare dramatic skill, enacted with brilliance and scened in beauty, are born to success. It is my desire^ that exhibitors everywhere shall share generously in the great profits which these entertainments are bringing in. My business reason for this is that as Fox Enter- tainments make money for the theatre, the exhibitor cqnducting that theatre becomes a busi- ness friend. If he can' link himself to these productions I know by experience with them that his rewards will be so great he will feel he cannot afford to miss any of the productions which have my personal guarantee as a showman. It is not enough, however, for any motion picture special, no matter how great its value, to merely book the picture, but the exhibitor must give to it that industry and enthusiasm in exploi- tation which I already have mentioned. I speak as a showman to showmen, and 1 invite you to a share in the financial rewards and house prestige which will be yours when you play CHECKERS, KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN, SHOULD A HUSBAND FORGIVE? and EVANGELINE. |FOX FOX FILM CORPORATION ENTERTAINMENTS 15 EXHIBITORS HERALD A Production for the greatest EXHIBITORS HE RALD Theatres in the world WILLIAM FOX presents THE FEUD (^Jyi typical Mix drama of the great outdoors * by Charles Kenyan ~ staged by Idward £e Saint FOX ENTERTAINMENTS EXHIBITORS HERAI NO STAR in motion pictures is moving faster toward the high place in screen popularity than this splendid, man ly,able young man- WILLIAM POX bresents HAM RU S S ELL in the great stage success QTie LINCOLN HIGHWAYMAN by Vaui Dickey - Directed buEmmeti FLynn * ENTERTAINMENTS SAM HARDING KNOWS The finest motion picture theatres in the world are in America. Sam Harding owns one of them, the Liberty Theatre, at Kansas City, Mis- souri. REALART PICTURES will aid Mr. Harding in realizing on his big investment and in extending the fame of his house as a theatre where patrons always are certain of obtaining the best entertainment. Mr. Harding is a showman who knows. REALART PICTURES CORPORATION ARTHUR S. KANE, Puesident ♦69 Fifth Avenue New Yohk City a IP? ALICE BRADY Directed by KENNETH WEBB e character of a plucky girl who is caught in the scandal net her father sets for another in— the most powerfully dramatic role of Miss Brady's remarkable career on either screen ige! 'THE FEAR MARKET'' By Amelie Rives (Princess Troubetzkoy) bsorbing story of those who feed on crumbs snatched from the tables of the rich — a study man nature, its pathetic weaknesses and its admirable traits of loyalty and love, as pre- 1 in one of the most exciting stage plays of Broadway's history. patrons won't want to miss it and you can't afford to. It's Realart! EXHIBITORS HERALD Watch next week's trade papers for next advertising announcement of Exhibitors' Defense Committee Composed of Members of The First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc. Sensational! Address inquiries to Exhibitors' Defense Committee care The First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc. 6 W. 48th St., New York City 19 EXHIBITORS HERALD | The Fun Will Start I Late in December 20 EXHIBITORS HERALD is a rarin' down the road to your theatre with lightning g speed in his fourth and newest §§ million dollar comedy for First W National. §j "A Day's Pleasure" \ Charlie's hitting on all twelve |§ cylinders, his muffler is wide EE open, and when he crashes onto = your screen you'll hear the §§ noise for a block. = Sure You Have | e Police Fixed! | lllllllllllllllllllllllll!lllllllllllllllllllllllllll!ll!IIIIIIIIIIH 21 EXHIBITORS HERALD Jllllllllllll^ I POSITIVELY I NO bookings! ACCEPTED I on HENRY LEHRMAN'S "A Twilight Baby" Until After Trade Showing , A HENRY LEHRMAN COMEDY A "First National" Attraction Bill 1 I,;, lllllll, ■ ■ Ill inBBBHBBnMMBBBHa^HBHHMBI^BBBaBri 22 EXHIBITORS HERALD Sunday, November 30, 1919 DAILY 23 A Humdinger of a Comedy. A Sure Fire Hit Constance Talmadge in "A VIRTUOUS VAMP" First National DIRECTOR David Kirkland AUTHOR Clyde Fitch SCENARIO BY John Emerson and Anita Loos CAMERAMAN Oliver Marsh AS A WHOLE A humdinger of a comedy STORY Adapted from successful play, "The Bachelor." DIRECTION Exceedingly well done PHOTOGRAPHY Excellent LIGHTINGS Very good CAMERA WORK Extra good; some new effects for getting laughs. STAR Super excellent; her work could not be improved on. SUPPORT Very good; Conway Tearle gave consistently good performance. EXTERIORS Very few INTERIORS Consistent with the demands DETAIL Closeups of star handled with telling effect; scene with near-sighted man mighty well done; titles unusually good. CHARACTER OF STORY Clean light comedy LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 5,000 feet Yea, Bo! This is a humdinger, a screamingly funny light comedy. If you haven't got it on your list jump right in your little automobile and hustle around to the nearest exchange handling it and grab it up quick. Il is there with bells on and after you show it once you will not be able to keep the crowd away for the rest of the week. They should flock in in droves The picture was adapted from Clyde Fitch's suc- cessful play, "The Bachelor," by John Emerson and Anita Loos and they have certainly done a mighty fine piece of work. So you have a good story as a basis Then David Kirkland has come along and directed a quick-moving fast tempo production, digging up some new incidents that are sure laugh getters. Gwend Miss Talm and oldest day after th ge, played by of5he noblest the sibly do justice to the May abounds with. The INT happy ending tollows. m'^f 7nn th~e Others in the cast not **i£^&iy mentioned were Harda Daube, Jack Kane, Jeannette rtorton, Margaret Linden, and Wallace McCutcheon. PRODUCED BY TOSEPH MSCHENCX WlUftRO R61MECK TECH. OtRECTOR, Do Everything You Can Think of to Get 'Em in. That's All You Have to Worry About Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor fust get 'em in. That's all. Constance Talmadge fnd the picture will do all the rest and keep them corn- ling in droves -for the rest of the week. It's a regular bear-cat of a light comedy, screamingly funny from start to finish. Play up the fact that the picture is a mighty good adaptation from one of the late Clyde Fitch's success- ful plays and that it was seemingly made to order for Unce Talmadge. She fits the part as though she It created for that purpose. Promise them laughs from start to finish, good clean hearty humor based on down right cleverness. And above all go the limit on Miss Talmadge. Spread Her name all over the place in every way, shape and man- ner that you can think of. And remember that every penny you spend will not apply to this picture alone. The more of a following you can build up for this lit- tle girl the better off you will be. If they will give her a few more pictures like this one she will be or of the biggest box office attractions in the busim Go to it hard and you will not be disappair EXHIBITORS HERALD Arthur F. Beck presents BAIRD <2/u? Capitol From the notable stage success 60 AUGUSTUS THOMAS Directed by George Irving Everything in the world that this beautiful woman had she staked for her husband — his love, her honor, her home and her happiness ! And he did not know. A protected, sheltered, guarded good woman walked into the open jaws of danger — and won! All this picture needs from an exhibitor is just a fair or better tb<>n fair amount of intelligent newspaper advertising. See the picture in your nearest exchange. W.HODKINSON CORPOMnON 527 Fifth Avenue, NewTbrkOty Distributing thro^h PATHE Exchange, Incorporated. EXHIBITORS HERALD Set your mind to thinking of the ad- vertising values — exploitation stunts —the power of popular appeal — the money-making power in the title of this !splendidly-made and directed produc- tion by one of the most successful and highly-paid of all screen authors: Robert Brunton presentation of K J.WARREN ERRIGAN And His Own Company in LOVES THE IRISH by MONTE M. KATTERJOHN Directed by Ernest C Warde And after realizing all these values see a print of the picture and realize that this picture more tban backs up all thees fore- casts. Then book it for a quick play date. Many first runs have done so already. W.HODKINSON CORPORATION 527 Fifth Avenue. New "fork Oty Distributing through PATHE Exchange, Incorporated EXHIBITORS HERALD "LIGHTNING BRYCE" with anne little and jack hoxie The Greatest Serial Ever Made! ARROW FILM CORPORATION W. E. SHALLENBERGER, President 220 WEST 42nd STREET NEW YORK CITY 26 EXHIBITORS HERALD BOUQUETS! "Broke Best Previous Saturday record by 546 Paid Admissions with First Episode of 'Lightning Bryce'" — Magnet Theatre, Milwaukee. "Have booked all Stanley serial houses, including big first run downtown. Am bound to make a clean-up with 'Lightning Bryce'" — Bob Lynch, Metro Exchange, Philadelphia. "Am booking 'Lightning Bryce' with big houses that I have never booked before. Houses are all breaking records with it; will make a clean-up with this wonder- ful serial. Give me another like it!" — Sam Flax, Liberty Exchange, Washington. '"Lightning Bryce' is going over bigger than any serial I have ever handled. New England exhibitors are coining money faster than ever before with this new wonder serial" — Herman Hirsch, Lightning Photoplays Service of N. E. ARE YOU THE LUCKY EXHIBITOR IN YOUR TOWN? 27 EXHIBITORS HERALD A Hidden Treasure FOR STATE RIGHTS PROSPECTORS NOW READY— "CINDERELLA AND THE MAGIC SLIPPER" (4 reels) "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD" (5 reels) "TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" (5 reels) Featuring Zoe Rae and Dorphia Brown Zoe is eleven years of age, Dorphia foul NOW BEING PREPARED— "HUMPTY DUMPTY" FUTURE RELEASES— "The Cow & the Moon" "Little Bo-Peep" "Cat and the Fiddle" "Old Mother Hubbard" "Puss and Boots" "Mother Goose" "Tom Thumb" "Little Jack Horner and Others WHAT THEY ARE These pictures are a series of Fairy Stories, known the wide world over, in picture form. No pains have been spared, and no cost considered, to make these the best pictures humanly possible. The labora- tory work is exceptionally fine. The entire cast of each picture is madeupof children rangingin age from 2 to 12 years of age. Natu- ral little actors and actresses they are ; nothing stagey or theatrical about them. The charm of the lr impersonations is irresistible. Back in the days of , 49 there was a "Gold Rush. People heard the cry of "GOUT and scrambled for their share. And in the struggle many passed fortune by, unnoticed. The Motion Picture Busi- ness is somewhat similar to the Gold Rush; a frantic search for pictures that give signs of panning out well. But in the speed of the Mad Scramble much good solid gold is passed by. Investigate these pictures we have to offer for your territory. You will find on analysis that they will assay nearly 100% pure value. Stake your claim before some one beats you to it. WHOLESOME FILMS CO. New York Office Executive Offices 729 Seventh Avenue 17 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago SCREENINGS AT YOUR CONVENIENCE 28 EXHIBITORS HERALD 1 f/ze Honor of Presenting THE FIRST SERIAL DE LUXE The Trail Starring KING BAGGOT In a Protean Hole Supported Chapter RteaMitiUi "Feature Gnxelhwondl JSftgg Jm \ Product ion and an I MAN J Directed blj All Star Cast \$™§ Jf' J A6E FOOW GEOPOE Cpl^^INC- CAPITIS* IS DEAD, e-OT SINCLAIR LE»- IS vyvD NEVEP |* A REAL 100 PERCENT ATTRACTION. EVERYBODY I ^rC WILL SEE IT. STORY BRISTLES WITH THRILLS, SUSPENSE, LOVE AND MYSTERY TERRITORIAL RIGHTS NOW SELLING Soon «°1 Dec late*- THE MINNEAPOLIS SUNDAY TRIBUNE: NOVEHrBER_2__191g_ (Jhe Psychic Gift; How It Feels to Be a Spiritualistic Medium; IndianapoljsClub Woman Analyzes Her Strange Manifestations, WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY JACK McCOLLOUGH Presented by THE EBONY FILM CORPORATION EXHIBITORS HERALD A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS EVERYWHERE Hold your patronage, Mr. Exhibitor! The use of your screen without your consent for the showing of objectionable industrial and advertising films is hurting that patronage! To protect you and to keep intact your greatest asset — your patronage — the committee on organization has developed a practical plan for the showing of de luxe educational and industrial films whereby the exhibitor will derive direct benefit from their projection on his screen. You do not show any pictures that have not been passed by the supervising committee representing the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. r^ON'T sign any contracts that will permit ANY advertising film or inserts on your screen until you have communicated with THIS COMMITTEE! The response to this movement has been large. Exhibitors everywhere grasp its vital importance. You can protect your screen and reap the benefits of the plan by getting in touch with the undersigned. The committee is not controlled or influenced by any motion picture manu- facturing or distributing organization. It is being operated for the sole benefit of the motion picture theatre owners of America. Committee on Organization for Protection of the Screen SYDNEY S. COHEN, New York, Temporary Chairman SAM BULLOCK, Cleveland, Temporary Secretary Temporary Headquarters of the Committee Room 708, Times Bldg., Naw York City 31 EXHIBITORS HERALD m ■ it pi m 1 I l PEGGY O'NEILL She was the foremost "Peg" of "Peg o' My Heart". Millions know her. Millions love her. Your chance to cash in on her immense popularity and winning personality lies in how quickly you seize the opportunity pre- sented in this picture. is the money picture of the season. It has a Money Title, Two Money Stars and a Money Author — Clara E. Laughlin RALPH MORGAN First reached the public eye as the boy in "Turn to the Right." Wherever theatres are known his reputation has travelled. He is one star that women love and men [admire. This season he is adding to his wonderful pop- ularity as the returned " deadjj soldier" in "The Five Million" — one of the season's big- gest hits.l^^ fcj ■fctoSi&W *m. State Right Men and Foreign Right Men who appreciate an opportunity will act quickly. Be among the first to wire in. ARTHUR S.HYMAN ATTRACTIONS CONSUMERS BU» wnc- CHICAGO, FILM BUILDING - DETRCHT.MICH. W.G.McCOY,MGR. CHICAGO - C.O.BROKAW, MGR. DETROIT TELEPHONE, HADDISON 2740 TELEPHONE, CHERRY 86© RELEASED WEEKLY FAST FUN AND FARCE Scandal George Ovey -JL Lillian Biron &»d +k* c-ayeiyCtVIs Under direction of- CRAIG HUTCHINSON DISTRIBUTED BY CELEBRATED PLAYERS FILM CORP. 207 So. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO, ILL. EXHIBITORS HERALD WOULD YOU DIG \ Not if you know it, you say, Mr. Exhibitor! you have driven the spade into tl business and that THE SITUATION— The motion picture world is in the throes of a huge movement looking to control of what is recognized as one of the three greatest businesses of the country. A number of motion picture producing and distributing organizations, with allied organizations and capitalists identical in ob- ject although not always bearing a like title, are engaged in the pur- chase of theatres and in the tying-up of theatres by long-time contracts. These organizations may be styled "The Trust" for the purpose of this warning. As this "Trust" has learned and everyone realizes, control of the motion picture business lies in control of the theatres. There is no way in which to control the physical properties, the film and the means of turning it into pictures and throwing the product onto the screen. There is no way to control the brains, the scenario writers, the directors and the actors and actresses. These methods have been tried and have failed. Even now groups of directors are organizing new enterprises to deal directly with the theatres. So long as theatres remain independent of control, capable of showing pictures produced by any company or organization, so long will there be incentive for the pro- duction of more and better pictures. Just so long, and no longer. THE DANGER— With the failure of other efforts at control, an attempt at mastery through ownership of theatres and contract binding other theatres to exclusive showing of the productions of certain companies is being made by the "Trust." Each day's news records the purchase of addi- tional theatres, the organization of a chain of theatres to be served by a member of the "Trust." There is no indication of a halt in this orgy of binding theatres to the wheels of the "Trust" ; there is every indication of a purpose to control theatres in every key spot, or in sufficient key spots to control each exhibition situation. The danger to independent exhibitors has become so obvious that First National Exhibitors Circuit, for instance, has issued a warning through a newly organized Defense Committee, urging members of that circuit not to sell their theatres and not to tie themselves up to long-time contracts for service. This warn- ing recognizes that destruction lurks in the "Trust's" activities. WHAT IT MEANS— Destruction, because, if the "Trust" own and control theatres suf- ficient to dominate each "situation," pictures produced by other com- CELEBRATI CORP. is d space in ev tory to spreading feels it a duty de^ pendent exchange. CELEBRATED is in position to f ui dies, Westerns, no dramas, everything are plenty of othei "Trust" in positior other short subjec all exhibitors. Sources of revei rental of films mal pany to view the struction. But th< VERY DANGER, hibitors to explain CEL P FILM Cll 207 So. CHICAGC GIVE THIS YOUR 34 EXHIBITORS HERALD )UROWN GRAVE? id and decide for yourself just how many times ole opening wider and wider for your jur fellow exhibitor! AYERS FILM this space and like lication in its terri- irni n g, because it Dn the biggest inde- ERS FILM CORP. tribitors with come- cartoons, short features, and there ges outside the ply f e a tu r e s and :e for the needs of side the theatrical sible for this corn- without fear of de- )0 FACE THAT i duty we owe ex- uation. 4TED ERS 3RATI0N >ash Ave. ILLINOIS panies will not be able to gain showings in big houses, and without this advantage will not be able to provide pictures for any houses. There will not be the incentive to make production worth while. Lack- ing this revenue, producers outside the "Trust" will not be able to make pictures good enough to compete with the "Trust" pictures in the houses capable of making bookings outside the "Trust." Which means that exhibitors will not be able to get pictures except on the terms of the "Trust," when they can get them at all. THE RESULT— What the "mercy" of the "Trust," dominating the field through the ac- complishment of this control, might be, anyone may imagine. And any exhibitor may readily understand that it is not necessary to dominance in any particular "situation" that the "Trust" own or control all the theatres in that area ; it is necessary to control only a few to make that particular situation one in which other companies could not distribute. And consummation of this "Trust" control approaches with each day's purchases of theatres and each day's signing of long-time service con- tracts. ARE YOU DIGGING?— And this control approaches the closer with each dollar paid to the "Trust" companies for service ; the dollars being paid for film rental go to swell the funds devoted to buying and controlling theatres which shall give the "trust" autocratic power over the very exhibitors who contribute the dollars. Each dollar spent on "Trust" pictures is another spadeful of earth out of the exhibitor's own grave! Are you digging your own grave? THE SAFETY ROUTE— Consummation of this destructive control of theatres can be averted. The safety route is to divert every dollar of film rental possible to com- panies not engaged in the struggle to dominate the business. And this can be done without hardship, for there are plenty of pictures, and good pictures, to be had from companies not in the well recognized group styled herein, for convenience sake, the "Trust." There are features, short subjects, novelties, news reels, serials, everything required for the best of programs, to be had without digging your own grave, Mr. Ex- hibitor. tRNEST THOUGHT! EXHIBITORS HERALD A Sure Fire Christie Special A ROMAN SCANDAL with COLLEEN MOORE AND A FEATURE CAST Distributed by CELEBRATED PLAYERS FILM CORP. 207 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111. A. H. BLANK ENTERPRISES Omaha, Neb. MIDWEST DISTRIBUTING CORP. Milwaukee, Wis. CRESCENT FILM CO. Kansas City, Mo. 36 EXHIBITORS HERALD 60 < C til o SI * CO Q 43 JS G +J ^ (5 al CO s CO cu > '53 cu G o cu f p » > CO -M £ *G J* -G • - 43 > 4_1 U > O c V c « .y >> -g b ft o « 2 i} K S a S m ^ *o 5 £ CO 43 CU > G CO cu cu G 8 CO u 9 O cu cu CO cu CO G 43 s£ co ^ CU (_c t-i CU CU 45 G -e CO < 13 iSi _ CO CO <-i < G CO cu CO G cu e -a a cu cu U, CO 3 co 43 G CO r* cu " *~ cu CO cu co CO O G J a £ CO *^ O »o cu ° 8 cu *0 bfl O <- k O ft o ts o ft G ft CO 3 co cu - ° .5 £ £ b r u u £ >; co CO co CQ ^ G<43 CO t+H ft +-> o CU O co v +-> O Q ° >> cu 42 G 2 *o cy co cu ^ o CJ O bo ^3 S 2 cO 3 co CO ^ G si A +3 T3 43 O csr r— I I CO W Pi D H o Oh i csr O ^ ^ P o O Oh ID fcj ^ > a, <: pl, a w H a. < CO a o < o u < o QO o a o <0X) u c * — - cu o z CO h o o 37 EDITORIAL &> EXECUTIVE OFFICES 417 S 'DEARBORN ST- CHICAGO ILL" HARRISON Q248 NEW YORK OFFICE 1476 BROADWAY TEL •BBXtiLNT 5111 EXHIBITORS EDITOR. this (Jssue NEWS OF THE WEEK Theatres Urged to Conserve Coal Until Present Fuel Crisis Ends 41 Chicago City Council Aims Blow at Misleading Film Advertising 45 Associated Producers Make Pledge to Trade 46 Stanley Company Buys Hotel Site in Philadelphia for Film Theatre 46 Two Members of Universal's African Expedition Are Killed 47 Select Organization Preparing to Break All Records in 1920 48 Lewis J. Selznick Opens National Advertising Drive in Magazines 49 First Republic Pictures Feature to Be Distributed Soon 51 Hobart Henley, Pathe Producer, to Seek Ex- hibitors' Viewpoint 52 John H. Kunsky Enterprises Join First National Expansion Plans 53 Edward Jose Selecting Players for "The Fighting Shepherdess" 54 Burton Holmes Series of Films on Remaking of Europe Completed 55 "Chic" Sale. Broadway Comedian, Signs Robert- son-Cole Contract 56 Associated Producers Assured Full Support of Pathe Company 57 Arrow to State Right the New Payton Serial "The Fatal Sign" 58 First Buck Jones' Feature Will Be Published This Month by Fox . . . 59 Robertson-Cole Company Ends First Year in Domestic Field 60 Reports From Goldwyn Exchanges Show Suc- cess of Salesmen's Day 61 "Eyes of Youth" Chicago Opening Sets New Rec- ord at Playhouse 63 Metro's Second Round of "Fewer and Better" Pictures Completed 64 Warner Brothers Confident Selig Serial Will Create Big Sensation 65 REVIEWS "Jubilo," Goldwyn C, five parts, with Will Rogers 69 "John Petticoats," Paramount-Artcraft C-D, five parts, with William S. Hart 69 "A Gun Fighting Gentleman," Universal D, six parts, with Harry Carey 69 "Wings of the Morning," Fox D, seven parts, with William Farnum 69 "A Misfit Earl," Goldwyn C, five parts, with Louis Bennison 70 "The Last of His People," Select D, five parts, with Mitchell Lewis 70 "The A. B. C. of Love," Pathe D, five parts, with Mae Murray 70 "Loot," Universal D, five parts, with Ora Carewe. 71 "Scarlet Days," Paramount-Artcraft D, six parts, with a Griffith Cast 71 "The Miracle of Love," Paramount-Artcraft D, seven parts, with Lucy Cotton 71 "Soldiers of Fortune," Realart D, seven parts... 72 "Eve in Exile," American D, seven parts, with Charlotte Walker 72 DEPARTMENTS Exhibitors' Bureau 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 What the Picture Did for Me 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 Volplaning Around N'Yawk 89, 90 With the Procession in Los Angeles 91, 92 Chicago Trade Events 93, 94 Guide to Current Picture 95, 96, 97 ADVERTISERS Arrow Film Corporation 26, 27 Automatic Ticket Selling & Cash Register Co... 98 Burston Films, Inc 29 Celebrated Players Film Corporation 34, 35, 36 Committee on Defense of the Screen 31 DeVry Corporation 98 Ebony Film Company 30 Famous Players-Lasky Corporation 2 First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Fox Film Corporation 15, 16, 17, 18 Gayety Comedies 33 Goldwyn Pictures Corporation 1, 99 Arthur S. Hyman Attractions 32, 92 W. W. Hodkinson Corporation 24, 25 Louis B. Mayer Productions 12 National Poster & Printing Company 98 Pathe Exchange, Inc 100 Nicholas Power Company *. . . . 82 Realart Pictures Corporation Insert Ritchey Lithographing Company 42 Robertson-Cole Company Insert Selznick Pictures Corporation .... 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Mack Sennett 39 United Artists Distributing Corporation 4 United Picture Theatres of America, Inc 14 Unity Photoplays Company 37 Universal Film Manufacturing Company 3 Wholesome Films Company 28 A. F. Williams 92 VoK IX DECEMBER 20, 1919 Number 26 EXHIBITORS HERALD THIS ^ f RAM ran**"1 THi5 i5 conclusive proof 4h,ai M&ck xScnnett s two reel comefe are Features. Current Production^ X Lacfyi Tailor /The /Speak Easy, Thenar Boarder Tn Preparation 39 EXHIBITORS HERALD HERE'S REAL TESTIMONIAL! To EXHIBITORS HERALD: Just to relieve myself of a few months worry I am enclosing check for three years' subscription. I sure do want EXHIBITORS HERALD for it is a magazine that is a credit to the trade. It's different — it's classy and right to the point, and best of all — you have the nerve to print the truth about everything. I am a stockholder in the North- west Circuit. Very truly yours, E. C. Smith, LIBERTY THEATRE, Dayton, Wash. 40 4- COMMENT OF THE WEEK By MARTI N J - QJJ I G LE Y Notable E vent THE alignment of the Dupont interests with the Gold- wyn Pictures corporation is more than an ordinary trade event. It marks the advent to this industry of a group of men whose names in the directory of American commerce and finance are synonymous with stability and progress. In coming into this industry these men, of course, ex- pect to make a profit; but whatever this profit may be it will not be so great as will be the profit to the industry generally through the constructive influence of their vi- sion, ability and experience. * * * King Exhibitor "C'XHIBITOES who enjoy the spotlight must be happy ' at this time. The major ventures which have been submitted recently to the trade are all aimed to placate or intrigue the exhibitor. The evolution of the industry has created a condition in which the theatre man is king. His favor and his indulgence is solicited on every side. It is within his choice what company he will ride with. In the midst of such a condition there are light-headed exhibitors who are inclined to become giddy. The theatre certainly is the keystone of the industry but it can no more stand alone than can the keystone of a stone arch; it must be intelligently and competently supported on one side by the producing element and on the other side by the distributing element. And in the maelstrom of propositions that now exist it is well for the exhibitor to bear in mind that it is extremely unlikely that this industry will ever to any great extent veer out of its present alignment of producing, distributing and exhibiting elements. Each is a proper and necessary part of the business; the correct administration of each requires specialized ability and experience and in a gen- eral way their individual identities will be preserved. s|l ♦ ♦ Export Troubles IT IS extremely unfortunate that the high rate of inter- national exchange should be added at this time to the manifold problems facing the exporter. Conditions in sev- eral of the foreign territories are none too favorable and the addition of the exchange difficulty creates an almost unsurmountable barrier. More attention to world trade and less attention to world politics might be a good New Year resolution for the present federal administration. * * * Trance Adv ances T^OLICE censorship of motion pictures has been thrown *~ out in France. A thorough test proved the system un- satisfactory and in its place there has been appointed a reviewing board with the necessary mental qualifications to consider intelligently the subject matter. Eepresented on the board are persons of literary and dramatic experi- ence and also prominent figures in public life. France, laboring under the manifold burdens of re- construction, has not considered this matter of so little importance that it did not take the time and effort to bring about a common sense readjustment. Yet a condition characteristic of darkest Eussia is al- lowed to obtain in certain of our sovereign states. Tne State Rigbt Field /~\ ISTE of the swiftest and most complete transforma- tions of recent months is in connection with the state right market. The great opportunity of the inde- pendent producer most certainly is at hand if he cares to grasp it. State right exchanges are actually begging for pic- tures— good pictures — and recent responses to their en- treaties have been very disappointing. The state right field today affords the independent producer, or anyone else having a good picture to sell, a quick and profitable market. The more important terri- tories of the country are actually offering prices in excess of their natural quota. The next few months probably will decide the fate uf the independent exchange. Unless their requirements are met they will have to pass away largely through having little or no product to offer. But if this does transpire there will be lost to the independent producer a certain and a profitable market and there will be cut off a source of revenue that is now able to be more productive than ever before. The adoption of a more or less open plan of booking generally throughout the trade opened wide the door of opportunity for the independent exchange but the scarcity of pictures for this market threatens to shut this door with a bang. 41 EXHIBITORS HERALD With the white lights dimmed on Broad- way, N. Y., due to the coal diggers' vaca- tion, the denizens of Broadway hotels will be able to go to bed before 2 a. m., thereby storing up some sleep for the coming win- ter. It would be in order for Goldwyn to an- nounce a blow-out to celebrate the advent of the Duponts into the film business. In the Middle West the Summer signs should be changed to read, "The tempera- ture inside this theatre is forty degrees higher than outside." This would be a great bid for freezing flat dwellers. Mack Sennett will not be able to use the Bathing Girls in "Aphrodite." Isaac Wolper beat him to it and obtained the screen rights for Mayflower. The Mary Pickford-Cora Wilkening suit has become a serial. The next episode will be staged in Los Angeles where Mrs. Wilkening has started a new action aimed to collect $112,625 for services rendered Miss Pickford incidental to the Artcraft contract. There are two hundred producers of motion pictures in Germany. It is esti- mated that the combined efforts of these two hundred German producers, working twenty-four hours a day for seventeen years, would produce one motion picture that might get a booking in America. Eva Balfour, a prominent English film star, is coming to America to appear in regular motion pictures. Sidney Garrett, president of J. Frank Brockliss, Inc., announces the formation of Gibraltar Pictures, Inc., representing a group of British film interests. Juanita Hansen is to appear in serial for Pathe. "The Forged Bride," "The Primrose Path," "The Red Lane" and "The Way of the World" are four new stories for Uni- versal. Some titles, eh? There seems to be a slight difference of opinion regarding the net income of the General Film Company in 1914. The gov- ernment says it was $1,139,500. The com- pany says it was $66,513. Result : Govern- ment sues for $11,394 and interest at the rate of one per cent per month. Marshall Neilan expects to spend the holidays in New York. Will start East unon the completion of his initial First National production, "The River's End." Arthur S. Kane, accompanied by Dick Willis of Los Angeles, stopped off in Chi- cago on Monday, Dec. 8, en route to Los Angeles. Mr. Kane states he is on "a Pacific Coast vacation," which, of course, tells the whole world just what he is doing. Charles Pathe, head of the interna- tional organization that bears his name, has returned to Paris after a six weeks' visit to New York, where he approved of plans for considerable development of American Pathe interests. Arthur and Lois Zellner have been commissioned by Maxwell Karger, direc- tor general of Metro, to adapt "Judah," the well-known drama by Henry Arthur Jones, as the next Screen Classics, Inc., for May Allison. Allen Holubar has signed with the First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., to do a series of special production, according to report from Los Angeles. Henry Morgan Hobart has been named general manager of the International Film Service, Inc. Mr. Hobart succeeds C. F. Zittel, resigned. Joe Samath of the Forward Film Dis- tributors, Inc., expected to sail for Europe this week, but the uncertain condition of the export business at this moment has caused him to defer the trip till such a time the rate of exchange becomes more stable. Col. Fred Levy, president of the First National Exhibitors' Exchange of Ken- tucky and Tennessee, has been appointed chairman of the Kentucky Commission on the Cost of Living by Gov. Black. □ □ Re-Takes £ News By J. R. M □ Well, are you all set for December 17th? You can sign all the contracts them "slicker" film salesmen present for the next few days, 'cause it won't mean anything if the world comes to an end. The F. I. L. M. Club ought to change its name to the FILL 'EM club, and specialize on banquet for hungry ex- changemen. With all these theatre chains stretching across the U. S. A. isn't somebody liable to get tripped up? Just as Ben Atwell of the Capitol theatre, New York, had the story about his non-tipable ushers nicely planted an epidemic of itchy palms breaks out in their ranks. You can tell by the smile on a bird's mug these days whether he did his Christinas shopping early — that is, back in June — or not. To date none of the film industry has equaled "Zit's" record for resigning and rejoining his company. Just at present he's out of the International but still with Hearst. I can hear a lota film reviewers whisper "Thank God" when they read that "Babe" Ruth has decided to give up being a picture ^ actor and become a pugilist. Wonder if Carranza has picked out a nice place where he can go to chop trees the rest of his life. If he hasn't he ought to. The Fatted Calf- Just when we were making marked progress in the "More clothes for chorus girls" movement, up goes the price of silk hose to $15. Looks like the dear things will have to put laps on their knee caps. Don't Crowd — Main floor, let going up. out please — T^O execute a motion picture poster that possesses power, force, vigor, and advertising value in a superlative degree requires an elaborate and complete organization of great poster artists — poster printers and poster advertising experts. The only such organization in the world is THE RITCHEY LITHO. CORP. 406 W. 31st Street, New York 42 EXHIBITORS HERALD Theatres Urged to Conserve Coal Until Present Fuel Crisis Ends Settlement of Strike Would Not End Shortage --N. A. M. P. I. In Constant Touch With Washington to Aid Exhibitors Although complete settlement of the coal strike appeared a question of hours at the time EXHIBITORS HERALD was going to press, the fuel situation throughout the Central West will continue acute for several weeks and government officials are urging the practice of every economy until cities have had an opportunity to build up their depleted reserve stocks. Return to the mines by the strikers will relieve what promised to be- come one of the most critical situations exhibitors of the country have ever faced. Many Theatres Are Already Closed Scores of theatres in the central states have already closed for various reasons. Many have exhausted their supply of coal, and are unable to pur- chase additional fuel. Others have closed because of being refused light and power by public utilities. In other communities, local authorities have ordered all theatres and other places of amusement closed. Olympic Theatre at Amarillo, Texas, Is Total Loss by Fire AMARILLO, TEX.— The Olympic theatre was totally destroyed by fire be- lieved to have been caused by an over- heated pipe, the accident occurring at 7 P. M. while the house was packed to capacity. The first sign of smoke was discov- ered by the organist, who reported the matter to the box office. The alarm was turned in and announcement was made from the stage that there was no dan- ger if the people would file out slowly. The music was continued and the picture kept upon the screen until the last pa- tron had left the building. Messrs. Dye, Ford and Rogers, own- ers of the building, suffered a total loss, as there was no insurance upon the building, but it was at once stated that a new structure would be built on the site of the ruins at a cost of $275,000. Lyons and Moran Renew Contracts NEW YORK, December 9.— Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran have signed long term contracts with Universal and will be featured in a series of five reel comedies. They have been producing two reel comedies for the past two years, and their success brought Universal's deci- sion to star them in features. Several stories for the new series have already been purchased. Selznick Purchases Submarine Feature NEW YORK, December 9.— Lewis J. Selznick has purchased world rights to "Girl of the Sea," in which Betty Hil- burn and Chester Barnett are co- starred, from Ernest Williamson, gen- eral manager of the Submarine Film Corporation. Syndicate Buys House WATERLOO, IA.— The Adams The- atre Co., Des Moines, operating theatres in fourteen cities in Iowa, has pur- chased the Garden theatre, this city, and took over the management Decem- ber 8. R. A. Howard, resident manager, announces a change in policy which will make the theatre a first run house. Chain Adds Theatre ST. LOUIS. MO.— William Appel has leased the Yale theatre at 3700 Minne- sota Ave., to the Yale Amusement Co., a newcomer in the St. Louis field, for a term of five years with the privilege of five years more or an option to pur- chase the property at a given figure within one year dating from the original lease. H. M. Berman on Trip NEW YORK, December 9.— H. M. Berman, general manager of Universal exchanges, left Saturday for a complete tour of exchanges to boost the Univer- sal contest and holiday season. He will spend several days in Chicago, and some little time on the Pacific Coast. The majority of motion picture thea- tres, however, have been permitted to remain open, public officials taking the stand that the people must have enter- tainment and diversion during the crisis. If operation of the mines is resumed within a few days, it is expected that conditions will be normal or nearly so as early as January 1. In the meantime, the motion picture theatres are urged to practice fuel economy. Suggestions, originally pre- piiiiiiiiiiNnminn^^ Notice I ^ Abnormal conditions | | created by the fuel short- § | age and restrictions im- 1 | posed by the government j | upon working hours are | | making it difficult for j | EXHIBITORS HERALD J | to comply with its usual § | practice of prompt pub- j | lication and prompt de- j | livery to subscribers. 1 f The staff of EXHIBIT- j | ORS HERALD and its 3 | mechanical departments i | are bending every effort | | toward the fulfillment of j | its customary schedules 1 | but in event that un- | | avoidable delays are en- | | countered this notice ex- g | plains the reason. ^mniiHimrmiwiuiiiiinnntimniniiiitinn i nranitnniiiiiinniRnriniiiiniBnmnniiininmniP pared for the crisis in 1918, will be found on page 44. Theatres Operate in Chicago There has been no closing of motion picture theatres in Chicago. All unne- cessary illumination has been discontin- ued, but the film play houses have been permitted to keep open on their regular schedule. In Southern Illinois, parts of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota, many localities have adopted stringent fuel conservation measures closing all thea- tres. In Missouri, Kansas and North- ern Minnesota, conditions are more fav- orable. Few Wisconsin theatres have been closed by the shortage. N. A. M. P. I. Is Active The National Association of the Mo- tion Picture Industry has been active in protecting exhibitors' interests in every way possible since the crisis arose, and has been given assurance by federal authorities that no general order clos- ing motion picture theatres will be issued unless the fuel shortage becomes more acute. The National Association is handling the situation through a Fuel Conserva- tion Comimttee which includes the following: Marcus Loew, Loew Enter- prises, chairman, B. S. Moss. Moss The- atres, Gabriel L. Hess, Goldwyn Pic- tures Corporation, Walter Hayes of Buffalo, Strand Theatre Interests, Syd- ney S. Cohen, president of the New York State Exhibitors League, Oscar A. Price, president of United Artists, Wil- liam O. Brandt, president of the Brook- lvn Exhibitors League, Ralph Kohn, Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, Al- bert Lowe, Paragon Laboratories, and Frederick H. Elliott, executive secre- tary of the N. A. M. P. I. Obtain Hearing at Washington Appointment with Mr. Cliget. assis- tant to the Director-General of Rail- roads, was obtained in Washington, and a committee appointed to take the mat- ter up immediately. On the committee were Occar A. Price, Felix Feist, Charles C. Pettijohn, Jack S. Connolly, Harry M. Crandall, and Gene J. Cran- dall. Oscar A. Price, spokesman for the delegation of the industry, urged against 43 EXHIBITORS HERALD the closing of the theatres of the coun- try, which he stated were a mighty in- fluence for good in the present state of unrest and afforded a wholesome gath- ering place for the people of every com- munity and every locality. Mr. Price pointed out that the theatres were, as a matter of fact, very small users of coal, as upon the departure of an audience the fires were promptly banked and that it would be a great mistake to close the theatres to the general public. Mr. Cliget stated that he fully appre- ciated the necessity of keeping the thea- tres open, so as to assist the administra- tion and urged the fullest cooperation of the producers and distributors, as well as the exhibitors and exchanges in putting into effect the conservation program. May Use Slides Again A series of slides, which had been used to wonderful effect as an educa- tional medium during the war were given to Mr. Cliget, who said that it might be deemed advisable to reintro- duce these slides in the present crisis. The Federal authorities were assured that the producers and distributors, ex- changes and exhibitors would co-operate with the Administration in the use of km trailers to be attached to all releases also the use of slides similar to those shown a year ago, provided it was de- cided that these features were necessary to properly educate the public as to the conditions, especially those prevailing in the Middle Western states. Chairman Marcus Loew of the Na- tional Association Fuel Conservation Committee states that the members of the Committee are being held in readi- ness to attend any meetings upon tele- phone notice and that the Committee will be in communication with the Washington authorities daily so as to be kept fully informed as to any changes in the conditions or as to' any new de- velopments and particularly as to pre- paring for carrying out of any requests which may come from the Director- General of Railroads. Syndicate Building Theatre at Toccau, Ga. TOCCAU, GA. — Ground has been broken and work is progressing rapidly upon the motion picture theatre being built by the Burton S. Teasley Theatre Syndicate, owning and operating a chain of theatres in the state. The new struc- ture will seat 600 and will be constructed along the most modern and up-to-date lines. The opening is set for March, 1920. Columbus House Sold COLUMBUS, O.— F. W. Postle and R. J. Trowbridge have purchased the Victor theatre, Livingston Ave. and 6th St., a 1500 seat house formerly owned by E. F. Schatzman. "Blind Husbands" Scores NEW YORK, December 9.— T h e New York newspaper critics were unanimous in approving of "Blind Hus- bands," the Universal feature, which was given its New York premier at the Capitol Sunday. To Build in Memphis MEMPHIS, TENN.— W. Roberts, present manager of the Princess theatre, has plans for a new theatre to be com- pleted in the Spring, the house to have a seating capacity of 1,000 and to cost $35,000. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUEL CONSERVATION (A reprint of the program for the motion picture industry during the last fuel crisis, adopted September 27, 1918, by the United States Fuel Administration, Bureau of Conservation, and based on the recommendations of the Fuel Conservation Committee of the N. A. M. P. I.) For Theatre Lighting — EXTERIOR LIGHTING— For each main en- trance to a theatre the rate of consumption of the exterior lighting equipment shall be limited to a maximum of 300 watts of electricity, or 17.5 cu. ft. per hour of gas. For auxiliary entrances or exists, a lesser consumption shall be allowed. All other lighting should be eliminated. LOBBY LIGHTING— Use only enough lamps to provide sufficient illumination for public safety, and it is requested that no lights be used for decora- tive effect, except when such lights serve for lighting purposes. A maximum of one watt per square foot of electricity, or of 0.06 cu. ft. per hour of gas is adequate for safety. AUDITORIUM LIGHTING— Do not light the auditorium more than five minutes before the pub- lic is admitted, excepting in cases of necessity. Do not use unnecessary lighting, such as lights for decorative or advertising purposes, except where such lights serve for necessary lighting. Use daylight whenever possible for cleaning houses and where artificial light is necessary, use only lamps in section being cleaned. For stairways and passage ways use minimum light required by law for safety. For rest rooms, toilets, etc., use only lights absolutely necessary. In rest rooms do not use lights for decorative effect, except when such lights serve for lighting purposes. This excludes the use of tinted or special lamps. STAGE LIGHTING— Keep all equipment clean, such as colored screens and filters, reflectors in trough and borders. Reflectors for bunch and flood lights should also be kept in good order, so that the least possible number of lamps can be used. For Studios — Discontinue use of lights on all sets during re- hearsals of scenes. Use general illumination during such time. Discontinue use of all lights used for photo- graphing scenes, except when they are actually used for this purpose, or for testing. Discontinue the use of all lights in dressing room or elsewhere in studios, except during such times when rooms are actually being used for their designated purpose. For Heating— No fuel shall be used for artificially heating any part of a theatre or studio to a temperature exceed- ing 68 degrees Fahrenheit. For Projection Machines — It is requested that projection machines be operated in a most efficient manner. General — In all locations of the theatre and studio elimi- nate the use of carbon and Gem lamps. They should be substituted by the more efficient Tungsten filament lamps. Where open flame gas burners are used, they should be replaced by gas mantles, which burn less gas. Clusters of lamps should be replaced by a single lamp with proper reflector wherever possible. iiiiiiniiiiiiiioiiiniiimiiiiiiDiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ 44 EXHIBITORS HERALD Chicago City Council Aims Blow At Misleading Film Advertising Proposed Ordinance Would Stop Altering of Titles and Display of Lurid Posters Which are Now Used as Censorship Ammunition Acting upon recommendation of Gabriel L. Hess, chairman of the censorship committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, EXHIBITORS HERALD has just completed a survey of con- ditions surrounding lurid and misrepresentative advertising on the part of certain Chicago exhibitors. Following the unearthing of data showing that the motion picture is being degraded and that the entire industry is being vilified through cer- tain types of scurrilous advertising, EXHIBITORS HERALD submitted the matter to Alderman George Maypole, member of the Chicago City Council. Alderman Maypole immediately had the city law department prepare an ordinance covering the points suggested by the EXHIBITORS HERALD. Roof Garden Proposed For New Fox Studio Architects Declare Plans Can Be Easily Altered for Novel Addition In addition to figuring on a permanent airplane landing platform upon the roof of his big new administration and lab- oratory now nearing completion at Tenth Avenue, 55th to 56 Streets, New York, William Fox has under considera- tion a project for a roof garden to occupy the northwestern corner of the structure. Plans for the proposed roof garden have been submitted to Mr. Fox with a view to having that portion of the L- shape roof concreted in order that a layer of rich soil may be spread and parts of the section sodded. The plans call for gravel walks winding between beds of flowers and clusters of ever- greens; the entire section to be enclosed by a boxwood hedge of a height suffi- cient to screen neighboring roofs from view. Expect Favorable Decision It is believed at the Fox organization's home office that a favorable decision will be reached on this project. The garden will offer Fox stars working in the East a restful atmosphere between the taking of scenes, and also will make an ideal spot for exterior scenes calling for set- tings of this sort. William Fried, personal architect for Mr. Fox, who in association with Harri- son G. Wiseman of the firm of Carlson & Wiseman drew the plans for the new building, has reported that the building is fully able to support such a roof garden and has offered his services in perfecting the plans. Will Be Enclosed in Glass Included in the sketches submitted for the garden is a unique fountain and a cosy summer house; gravel walks sur- rounding the fountain, and the summer house nestling among the evergreens. The entire garden would be protected by a glass roof of the regular conservatory design thus permitting the photograph- ing of summer scenes during the winter. This roof garden, if made, will be the first of its kind atop a motion picture studio anywhere in this country, and will equal in beauty and originality any of the popular roof resorts now existing above Metropolitan theatres. To Reopen at Hillsboro HILLSBORO, ILL.— After being with- out a motion picture theatre for several months, this city is to again have a play house. James Beauchamp and George Sterns are behind the new enterprise and will have a 250-seat house. Pictures will be shown twice each week. Pictures for Milford MILFORD, N. Y.— The Temple the- atre on South Main street has been rented to Oneonta parties who are to conduct a motion picture show here one evening each week. Metro features are to be given. The proposed ordinance was presented to the City Council on Monday, Dec. 8, and referred to the judiciary committee. From information disclosed it is indi- cated that the ordinance will be speedily enacted and a stop will be put to this type of misrepresentation and suggest- ive advertising. Punishment Is Provided. The proposed ordinance provides for punishment of exhibitors who misrep- resent the picture on exhibition and who violate the common rules of decency in the types of specially prepared banners ALDERMAN GEORGE MAYPOLE Who has introduced an ordinance in the Chicago city council aiming to eliminate misleading: film advertising:. and signs which are hung out and which make certain downtown Chicago thea- tres resemble the entrance to suggestive circus side-shows. Exhibitors Herald has lended its its influence to this measure with a view to putting a stop to the agitation that has been gaining in weight to compel every exhibitor to submit to the censors of Chicago all advertising matter used in connection with the exploitation of their pictures. The real offenders in Chicago are less than a half dozen in number but the conspicuousness of their fronts is caus- ing general criticism to be leveled against all motion picture theatres. Is Censorship Ammunition. The lurid advertising that has blotted certain fronts on Madison street has frequently resulted in newspaper com- ment and has furnished ammunition for the proponents of censorship. Under the proposed measure no re- strictions will be placed upon individual initiative in exploitation but all adver- tising will be made to conform to the ordinary standards of decency. The sub- stitution of a suggestive title in the place of the title authorized by the producer will be stopped and exhibitors will be prohibited from tempting the morbid- minded with lurid catch-lines that are in no way related to the oicture on exhi- bition. Toledo Theatre Company Incorporates at $50,000 TOLEDO, OHIO.— The West Toledo Amusement Co. which will build a big motion picture theatre on Sylvania ave- nue east of Lewis averrne, has been in- corporated at $50,000, of which $30,000 in stock has been issued. Work will begin in three or four weeks. The playhouse, with a balcony, will seat 1,500. The incorporators are Joseph O. Ep- stein, Harry Cowen, Thomas Gardner and Morris Kraus. Syndicate Will Build Theatre at Moline, 111. ROCK ISLAND, ILL. — George R. Stephenson, manager of the Rock Island Watch Tower, is the head of a syndi- cate that will erect a $100,000 motion pic- ture theatre on the Deere lots, Four- teenth street and Fifth avenue, Moline. The property was purchased several months ago. Mr. Stephenson and several others re- cently became associated with the syn- dicate. The Columbia theatre at Daven- port will be used as a pattern for the new Moline play house. 45 EXHIBITORS HERALD ASSOCIATED PRODUCERS MAKE PLEDGE TO TRADE Thomas H. Ince, Mack Serine tt, Marshall Neilan, Maurice Tourneur and Allan Dwan have requested EXHIBITORS HERALD to give the following message to the exhibitors of America: We are informed that there are many exhibitors throughout the United States who are considering the sale of their theatres on account of being intimidated with the information that they will not be able to get sufficient product in the future in order to make their investment in their theatres safe. For your information we wish to say that as soon as our present contracts expire, which will be in the coming Summer, our entire combined product of personal pro- ductions and stars will be available to every exhibitor on an independent basis and on terms that will be fair and equitable to both producer and exhibitor alike. Therefore, we feel that this information should be an assurance to you and to all your brother exhibitors that you need not make any hasty move that will be detri- mental to your future welfare as well as to the entire industry. The spirit of independent exhibitors and ourselves is common ground against all the usurping influences. ( We are sincerely giving you this information straight from the shoulder. So we ask you to weigh the above carefully and take no stock in any propaganda to the con- trary and we will appreciate your conveying this information to all your brother exhibitors. x The above statement has just been received by telegraph from Los Angeles and is signed by the following: Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sennett, Marshall Neilan, Maurice Tourneur and Allan Dwan. Stanley Company Buys Hotel Site In Philadelphia for Film Theatre Bingham Hotel Will be Razed to Make Room for Six Story Office Building and 4,000 Seat Play House PHILADELPHIA, PA.— After negotiations lasting over a year one of the most important real estate deals of the year was consummated when Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher, representing the Stanley Company of America, purchased from N. Snellenburg & Co., owners, the famous Bing- ham Hotel at the southeast corner of Eleventh and Market streets, one of the busiest and most prominent corners in the city. The deal is the largest single transaction in real estate on Market street, involving the sum of $3,000,000. To Build Theatre Seating 4,000 Jules E. Mastbaum, president of the Stanley Company, discussing the future of the Bingham Hotel, stated that the present structure would be demolished when the present lease expires, that having but a short period to run, and about June 1st, 1920, work would be begun on a six-story modern office building and stores on Market street and in the rear with an arcade entrance from Market street an up-to-date motion picture theatre to seat 4,000 would be erected. man and on the site was erected the first modern hotel ever built in this city. It was the last property sold by Mr. Weightman prior to his death, the pur- chasers being the Goodwin-Proven com- pany, which concern in turn sold it to H. Snellenburg & Co. The price paid by Snellenburg & Co. was $1,250,000 and when that amount was paid it created a tremendous sensa- tion for it was considered out of all rea- son for any single property of this kind to be worth that much money. As an illustration of the way in which real estate values have gone tip within the last fifteen years, this transaction The lot on which the Bingham Hotel is built measures 156 feet on Market street and 180 feet on Eleventh street. News of the sale of this property cre- ated a sensation in real estate as well as theatrical and financial circles. It was not generally known that the Bingham Hotel was in the market and therefore the announcement that the Stanley Com- pany of America had purchased it came as a bombshell in this city. Site Is a Valuable One The Bingham Hotel property is today considered one of the most valuable of any individual site on Market street. It was owned by the late William Weight- stands out forcibly, for Snellenburg & Co., in the sale of the property to the Stanley company, received a 150 per cent on their original investment. The Bing- ham Hotel site is now added to other big sales along Market street which have taken place recently, the most notable being the Denckle building, at Eleventh and Market streets, the northeast corner of Tenth and Market streets, and the northeast and northwest corners of Thir- teenth and Market streets. Mastbaum Issues Statement "While we have been conducting nego- tiations for some time looking to the purchase of the Bingham Hotel prop- erty," said Mr. Mastbaum recently, "we were prepared with all the details as to what kind of a structure would be best suited to that corner and were it not for the leases, we are prepared today to go on with the work. We feel that a combination office-store-theatre building will be just what this busy corner, where so many hundreds of thousands of peoplef pass all the time, needs. Our plans call for the work to begin at the expiration of the leases and about June 1 next we will begin to tear down the present building. "The new building which the Stanley Company of America will erect will be of ornamental design and six stories high. It will have modern stores along Market street. The upper floors will be devoted to offices and these will be equipped with all the latest detail for tenants. In the rear, space will be left for a modern motion picture theatre which will have an arcade entrance on Market street. It will seat 4.000 people and it will be fitted with every improvement for the most artistic presentation of fea- ture films, in combination with the best music. 46 EXHIBITORS HERALD Two Members of Universale African Expedition Are Killed William Stowell and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong Die in Railroad Wreck— Carl Laemmle May Recall Expedition William Stowell, Universal Film star, who reached the high point in his career when he played opposite Dorothy Phillips in "Hearts of Human- ity," and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong, well known resident of Los Angeles, both members of the expedition sent into Africa recently by the Smith- sonian Institute in connection with the Universal Film Manufacturing Company for the purpose of getting educational and travel pictures, were killed in a train-wreck near Elizabeth, Belgium-Congo, South Africa, De- cember 4. Mr. Stowell's.neck was broken and he died thirty hours after the wreck. Dr. Armstrong died six hours after the accident with concussion of the brain. List of Injured Received The injured, according to the cable report, are : Pliny Home, camera- man, cut and body bruises ; Henry Noel Kohler, laboratory expert, body injuries, reported not serious, and Edward M. Thierry, N. E. A. newspaper correspondent, head lacerations and severe shock. Dies in Africa Five members of the expedition left Sakania in a special coach for Elizabeth- ville and were coupled on a train of six freight cars and one tank car. The tank car was evidently the last car on the train. It became uncoupled on a siding fifty miles north of Sakania. The coup- lings became loose and the tank car ran down grade, crashing into the special coach. The report says that the natives extricated the injured and carried them to their huts, where they remained for sixteen hours without medical aid. Two hours afterward a physician arrived and dressed their injuries. A relief train from Elizabethville which had been sent for reached the scene of the accident and more than twenty-four hours after the accident the injured were brought to a hospital in Elizabethville. William Stowell was alive when brought to Eliz- abethville but died a few hours later in the hospital. Several natives, the report says, were also killed. Henry C. Raven and Homer Shantz, two other members of the expedition, were in Rhodesia at the time and Edmun Heller, field leader, and George Scott, chief cameraman, were in Boira, a port in Portugese, East Africa, at the time of the accident. Entered Films Nine Years Ago William Stowell was born in Boston, Mass., and was 38 years old. His correct name was William H. Stowell Farr, but he has been known as William Stowell since entering motion pictures, almost nine years ago. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Farr. Mr. Stowell was with the Selig company four and one-half years, the American com- pany one and one-half years, and up to his death had been with Universal more than two and one-half years. Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong was born at Binghamton, N. Y., and was a graduate of the College of the City of New York. He was forty-eight years old and for sev- eral years lived at 6122 Selma avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge and is survived by his wife, Florence Armstrong, and daughter, Edith. His daughter, Edith, is known to the film world as Edith Rob- erts. She has starred in Universal pro- ductions recently. Pliny Home, cameraman, who was in- jured, is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. He has been with the Universal company about four years. His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Home, live at 2004 Cahuenga avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. Kohler Chicago Resident Henry Kohler, who was the laboratory expert with the expedition, is a resident of Chicago, 111. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, McKinley chapter. He has been with the Universal company about three years and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Koehler, live at 2115 Bradley place, Chicago. Edwin M. Thierry, newspaper corre- spondent, who sent the cable, is a resi- dent of Cleveland, O. He has been a newspaper man since 1905 and was a rep- resentative of the N. E. A. at the Paris bureau during the recent war. He made an enviable reputation as a newspaper correspondent when he succeeded in sending the first message out of Germany after the signing of the armistice. His wife, Claire Read Thierry, and two children, Jack and Esther Thierry, are now living in Sewickley, Penn. Carl Laemmle's Statement Upon receiving the news of this acci- dent, Carl Laemmle, Universal presi- dent, issued the following statement: "To make any expression upon the death of two such men as William Stowell and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong, while serving our company, is most diffi- cult. It is beyond power of human ex- pression in words to say more than that I was shocked and deeply grieved. In fact, it was so much so that it was im- possible for me to realize that it is true. "I have known William Stowell per- sonally for many years. He has been with the Universal Film Manufacturing Company for two and one-half years and during that time he has endeared himself into the hearts of every member of the Universal company with whom he came in contact besides making a wonderful reputation throughout the country as a film actor. As a man William Stowell probably had no equal. He was a big- hearted boy, is all that I can say. He 47 AVILLIAM STOWELL Lniversal star, whose death is reported as having occurred in a train wreck in Africa, where he was working with an expedition in the interests of science. was an unusual actor in that he com- bined brains and talent. I selected him to direct this stupendous expedition be- cause I knew I could depend upon him and that he had every asset needed for the position. Dr. Armstrong Close Friend "Dr. Armstrong has been a close friend of mine for many years and I have always regarded him as one of the finest men I have ever met. He was a very capable man and was one of the best known men in Los Angeles. He had a habit or I should say a God given gift of making friends with everybody. I considered myself very fortunate in sign- ing him up as business manager of the expedition in South Africa. "This catastrophe has been such a shock to me I am seriously considering recalling the entire expedition as far as the Universal company is concerned. I am now waiting word from Edward M. Thierry, newspaper correspondent with the expedition, who is virtually in charge now. "I believe the report is true but as a close friend to both of these men I am hoping to hear otherwise." George W. Lederer, Jr. Joins Realart Staff Realart Picture Corporation has added to its exploitation staff George W. Led- erer, Jr. Mr. Lederer has had long and varied experience in all types of publicity and exploitation work. He was recently with a well known stage play as advance man and general press aernt. Mr. Led- erer is at present in the Buffalo territory where he is working in the interests of Realart's initial releases. EXHIBITORS HERALD ASSOCIATED PRODUCERS MAKE PLEDGE TO TRADE Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sennett, Marshall Neilan, Maurice Tourneur and Allan Dwan have requested EXHIBITORS HERALD to give the following message to the exhibitors of America: We are informed that there are many exhibitors throughout the United States who are considering the sale of their theatres on account of being intimidated with the information that they will not be able to get sufficient product in the future in order to make their investment in their theatres safe. For your information we wish to say that as soon as our present contracts expire, which will be in the coming Summer, our entire combined product of personal pro- ductions and stars will be available to every exhibitor on an independent basis and on terms that will be fair and equitable to both producer and exhibitor alike. Therefore, we feel that this information should be an assurance to you and to all your brother exhibitors that you need not make any hasty move that will be detri- mental to your future welfare as well as to the entire industry. The spirit of independent exhibitors and ourselves is common ground against all the usurping influences. I We are sincerely giving you this information straight from the shoulder. So we ask you to weigh the above carefully and take no stock in any propaganda to the con- trary and we will appreciate your conveying this information to all your brother exhibitors. N The above statement has just been received by telegraph from Los Angeles and is signed by the following: Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sennett, Marshall Neilan, Maurice Tourneur and Allan Dwan. Stanley Company Buys Hotel Site In Philadelphia for Film Theatre Bingham Hotel Will be Razed to Make Room for Six Story Office Building and 4,000 Seat Play House PHILADELPHIA, PA.— After negotiations lasting over a year one of the most important real estate deals of the year was consummated when Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher, representing the Stanley Company of America, purchased from N. Snellenburg & Co., owners, the famous Bing- ham Hotel at the southeast corner of Eleventh and Market streets, one of the busiest and most prominent corners in the city. The deal is the largest single transaction in real estate on Market street, involving the sum of $3,000,000. To Build Theatre Seating 4,000 Jules E. Mastbaum, president of the Stanley Company, discussing the future of the Bingham Hotel, stated that the present structure would be demolished when the present lease expires, that having but a short period to run, and about June 1st, 1920, work would be begun on a six-story modern office building and stores on Market street and in the rear with an arcade entrance from Market street an up-to-date motion picture theatre to seat 4,000 would be erected. The lot on which the Bingham Hotel is built measures 156 feet on Market street and 180 feet on Eleventh street. News of the sale of this property cre- ated a sensation in real estate as well as theatrical and financial circles. It was not generally known that the Bingham Hotel was in the market and therefore the announcement that the Stanley Com- pany of America had purchased it came as a bombshell in this city. Site Is a Valuable One The Bingham Hotel property is today considered one of the most valuable of any individual site on Market street. It was owned by the late William Weight- man and on the site was erected the first modern hotel ever built in this city. It was the last property sold by Mr. Weightman prior to his death, the pur- chasers being the Goodwin-Proven com- pany, which concern in turn sold it to H. Snellenburg & Co. The price paid by Snellenburg & Co. was $1,250,000 and when that amount was paid it created a tremendous sensa- tion for it was considered out of all rea- son for any single property of this kind to be worth that much money. As an illustration of the way in which real estate values have gone lip within the last fifteen years, this transaction 46 stands out forcibly, for Snellenburg & Co., in the sale of the property to the Stanley company, received a 150 per cent on their original investment. The Bing- ham Hotel site is now added to other big sales along Market street which have taken place recently, the most notable being the Denckle building, at Eleventh and Market streets, the northeast corner of Tenth and Market streets, and the northeast and northwest corners of Thir- teenth and Market streets. Mastbaum Issues Statement "While we have been conducting nego- tiations for some time looking to the purchase of the Bingham Hotel prop- erty," said Mr. Mastbaum recently, "we were prepared with all the details as to what kind of a structure would be best suited to that corner and were it not for the leases, we are prepared today to go on with the work. We feel that a combination office-store-theatre building will be just what this busy corner, where so many hundreds of thousands of people/ pass all the time, needs. Our plans call for the work to begin at the expiration of the leases and about June 1 next we will begin to tear down the present building. ''The new building which the Stanley Company of America will erect will be of ornamental design and six stories high. It will have modern stores along Market street. The upper floors will be devoted to offices and these will be equipped with all the latest detail for tenants. In the rear, space will be left for a modern motion picture theatre which will have an arcade entrance on Market street. It will seat 4.000 people and it will be fitted with every improvement for the most artistic presentation of fea- ture films, in combination with the best music. EXHIBITORS HERALD Two Members of Universale African Expedition Are Killed William Stowell and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong Die in Railroad Wreck— Carl Laemmle May Recall Expedition William Stowell, Universal Film star, who reached the high point in his career when he played opposite Dorothy Phillips in "Hearts of Human- ity," and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong, well known resident of Los Angeles, both members of the expedition sent into Africa recently by the Smith- sonian Institute in connection with the Universal Film Manufacturing Company for the purpose of getting educational and travel pictures, were killed in a train-wreck near Elizabeth, Belgium-Congo, South Africa, De- cember 4. Mr. Stowell's neck was broken and he died thirty hours after the wreck. Dr. Armstrong died six hours after the accident with concussion of the brain. List of Injured Received The injured, according to the cable report, are: Pliny Home, camera- man, cut and body bruises ; Henry Noel Kohler, laboratory expert, body injuries, reported not serious, and Edward M. Thierry, N. E. A. newspaper correspondent, head lacerations and severe shock. Dies in Africa Five members of the expedition left Sakania in a special coach for Elizabeth- ville and were coupled on a train of six freight cars and one tank car. The tank car was evidently the last car on the train. It became uncoupled on a siding fifty miles north of Sakania. The coup- lings became loose and the tank car ran down grade, crashing into the special coach. The report says that the natives extricated the injured and carried them to their huts, where they remained for sixteen hours without medical aid. Two hours afterward a physician arrived and dressed their injuries. A relief train from Elizabethville which had been sent for reached the scene of the accident and more than twenty-four hours after the accident the injured were brought to a hospital in Elizabethville. William Stowell was alive when brought to Eliz- abethville but died a few hours later in the hospital. Several natives, the report says, were also killed. Henry C. Raven and Homer Shantz, two other members of the expedition, were in Rhodesia at the time and Edmun Heller, field leader, and George Scott, chief cameraman, were in Boira, a port in Portugese, East Africa, at the time of the accident. Entered Films Nine Years Ago William Stowell was born in Boston, Mass., and was 38 years old. His correct name was William H. Stowell Farr, but he has been known as William Stowell since entering motion pictures, almost nine years ago. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Farr. Mr. Stowell was with the Selig company four and one-half years, the American com- pany one and one-half years, and up to his death had been with Universal more than two and one-half years. Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong was born at Binghamton, N. Y., and was a graduate of the College of the City of New York. He was forty-eight years old and for sev- eral years lived at 6122 Selma avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge and is survived by his wife, Florence Armstrong, and daughter, Edith. His daughter, Edith, is known to the film world as Edith Rob- erts. She has starred in Universal pro- ductions recently. Pliny Home, cameraman, who was in- jured, is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. He has been with the Universal company about four years. His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Home, live at 2004 Cahuenga avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. Kohler Chicago Resident Henry Kohler, who was the laboratory expert with the expedition, is a resident of Chicago, 111. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, McKinley chapter. He has been with the Universal company about three years and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Koehler, live at 2115 Bradley place, Chicago. Edwin M. Thierry, newspaper corre- spondent, who sent the cable, is a resi- dent of Cleveland, O. He has been a newspaper man since 1905 and was a rep- resentative of the N. E. A. at the Paris bureau during the recent war. He made an enviable reputation as a newspaper correspondent when he succeeded in sending the first message out of Germany after the signing of the armistice. His wife, Claire Read Thierry, and two children, Jack and Esther Thierry, are now living in Sewickley, Penn. Carl Laemmle's Statement Upon receiving the news of this acci- dent, Carl Laemmle, Universal presi- dent, issued the following statement: "To make any expression upon the death of two such men as William Stowell and Dr. Joseph R. Armstrong, while serving our company, is most diffi- cult It is beyond power of human ex- pression in words to say more than that I was shocked and deeply grieved. In fact, it was so much so that it was im- possible for me to realize that it is true. "I have known William Stowell per- sonally for many years. He has been with the Universal Film Manufacturing Company for two and one-half years and during that time he has endeared himself into the hearts of every member of the Universal company with whom he came in contact besides making a wonderful reputation throughout the country as a film actor. As a man William Stowell probably had no equal. He was a biar- hearted boy, is all that I can say. He 47 WILLIAM STOWELL I niversnl star, whose death is reported as having: occurred in a train wreck in Africa, where he was working with an expedition in the interests of science. was an unusual actor in that he com- bined brains and talent. I selected him to direct this stupendous expedition be- cause I knew I could depend upon him and that he had every asset needed for the position. Dr. Armstrong Close Friend "Dr. Armstrong has been a close friend of mine for many years and I have always regarded him as one of the finest men I have ever met. He was a very capable man and was one of the best known men in Los Angeles. He had a habit or I should say a God given gift of making friends with everybody. I considered myself very fortunate in sign- ing him up as business manager of the expedition in South Africa. "This catastrophe has been such a shock- to me I am seriously considering recalling the entire expedition as far as the Universal company is concerned. I am now waiting word from Edward M. Thierry, newspaper correspondent with the expedition, who is virtually in charge now. "I believe the report is true but as a close friend to both of these men I am hoping to hear otherwise." George W. Lederer, Jr. Joins Realart Staff Realart Picture Corporation has added to its exploitation staff George W. Led- erer, Jr. Mr. Lederer has had long and varied experience in all types of publicity and exploitation work. He was recently with a well known stage play as advance man and general press a^ent. Mr. Led- erer is at present in the Buffalo territory where he is working in the interests of Realart's initial releases. EXHIBITORS HERALD NORMA TALMADGE'S NEW PICTURE FOR SELECT Three scenes from "She Loves and Lies," adapted by Grant Carpenter and Chester Withey, from Wilkie Collins' story of the same name, and directed by Chester Withey. The centre scene shows Norma at the age of 62 years. Select Organization Preparing To Break All Records In 1920 The private sales drive recently con- ducted for Select Pictures Corporation by Sam E. Morris, general manager, and Charles R. Rogers, director of sales, has reacted in a surprisingly effective way in many branches on the Select circuit. Believing steadfastly in ihe laws of reci- procity, Select branch managers have "come right back" at the Home Offices officials with personally conducted campaigns of their own initiative, resulting in a volume of business for the two weeks ending Sat- urday, November 30, that topped all previ- ous records for that period of time. The Select Dallas. Chicago, Buffalo and Seattle offices started the ball a-rolling with territorial sales campaigns that went over fast and sure, Managers C. C. Ezell, Ben W. Beadell, A. W. Moses and Hugh Ren- nie, respective managers of the four of- fices named, determined to start the holiday season right and demonstrate to Messrs. Morris and Rogers that the momentum gained by the drive inaugurated in New York could be continued with room to spare. Elsie Janis Is Factor Elsie Janis' first Selznick picture, "A Regular Girl," and Elaine Hammerstein's initial vehicle, "The Country Cousin," have had much to do with the record business for the two weeks ending November 30. According to Director of Sales Rogers the productions starring Miss Janis and Miss Hammerstein have proved stellar box-of- fice attractions for exhibitors in all locali- ties, resulting in extended bookings and repeat runs by many of the country's larg- est and most representative theatres. The Select sales organization is now on the verge of a concerted drive to start the new year with a burst of genuine speed. Many of the Select branch offices have been enlarged and augmented by the addition of well-known motion picture sales repre- sentatives and all forces are united to duplicate, or excel, the sales achievements for the year about to close. Morris Issues Statement "When the New Year ushers in, Select will be on its toes for still greater results," said General Manager Sam E. Morris. "The current year has been by far the most productive in the history of Select Pictures Corporation, but we are deter- mined to keep abreast of the times and con- tinue the rapid progress. The volume of business closed for the two weeks ending November 30 is a good indication of the spirit which prevails throughout our or- ganization. Following the private cam- paign launched as a tribute to Mr. Selz- nick, our branch managers availed them- selves of every opportunity and proceeded to establish their own sales quotas which, as is seen in the booking records, were high enough to reflect most favorably on the ef- ficiency of our branch managers and their sales representatives." Market Street Theatre At Chattanooga Assured CHATTANOOGA, TENN. — Leases have been signed and contracts entered into for another motion picture theatre in Market street and the actual construc- tion has already been started. Leases are in the name of the Criterion Amuse- ment Company, of which T. C. Thomp- son, Jr., is general manager, but the building itself is being erected by Miller Brothers. The theatre will be in the rear of 630 Market street and will extend back to Cherry street. It will have a seating capacity of 700 and will cost $35,000. Cypress Hills To Have New 3,500-Seat Theatre BROOKLYN, N. Y.— Cypress Hills is to have another fine theatre devoted to motion pictures. The theatre is to be built by Chauncey C. Cozine on the block front on Fulton street, extending from Crescent to Pine street and according to the plans, the project will cost $400,- 000. It will be modern in every respect and have a seating capacity of 3,500. The front of the building will be limestone and tapestry brick. 4§ Jersey City Chamber of Commerce Favors Vote on Sunday Show An action which motion picture men look upon as highly encouraging in the campaign for Sunday shows in New Jersey was taken when the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce put itself on rec- ord as favoring legislation to provide for a referendum to allow Jersey City citizens to determine for themselves whether Sunday picture shows shall be permitted in the city. The action of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, under the Chairmanship of Willard C. Stanton, was unanimous. The directors it is said took into con- sideration the trend of popular feeling as exhibited in the recent state elec- tions, with regard to Sunday amuse- ments, when both major political par- ties adopted Sunday motion picture planks in their party platforms. Dr. H. Charles Hespe, who has been instrumental in conducting the cam- paign for the New Jersey exhibitors, takes the action of the Chamber of Commerce as indicative of its response to public feeling throughout the State. "The Jersey City Chamber of Com- merce," said Dr. Hespe, "has put itself on record as being willing to leave the disposition of the Sunday Motion Pic- ture question in the hands of the people of New Jersey, where it rightfully be- longs. The sentiment among citizens is overwhelmingly in favor of Sunday mo- tion pictures. I have no doubt but that legislators during the approaching ses- sion of the state legislature will reflect the public desire in adequate legisla- tion for a Sunday motion picture en- abling law." Boston Press Man Weds Walter M. Merkel, exploitation repre- sentative for Select's Boston branch, is a benedict. He marched to the altar last week, accompanied by Miss Vera M. Arnold, one of Auburn (Mass.) prize beauties. After the marriage ceremony, the couple left for a brief visit to New Rochelle, N. Y. EXHIBITORS HERALD Lewis J. Selznick Opens National Advertising Drive in Magazines Two-Page Spread in Saturday Evening Post Novem- ber 29 is First Gun Fired in Campaign Throughout 1920 When the Saturday Evening Post dated November 29 made its appearance, pages 100 and 101 contained an advertisement that raised the curtain on one of the big- gest campaigns in the history of intensive national advertising. The advertisement — a "double truck" spread in colors on Selznick Pictures, with photos of the five Seltznlck stars and a statement signed by Lewis J. Seltznick — was the forerunner to a gigantic campaign in leading publications which include the Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Jour- nal, The Country Gentleman, McClure's, Home Sector, American Legion Weekly, Pictorial Review, Green Book, Blue Book, Red Book, Picture-Play Magazine, Photo- play and Motion Picture Magazine. These publications are estimated to reach 50,- 000,000 people. Make Appeal in Colors Coincident with the opening broadside in the Saturday Evening Post, Selznick Pic- tures advertisements appeared in the De- cember number of the Ladies Home Jour- nal and in the November twenty-ninth issue of The Country Gentleman, Page sixty- eight of the Ladies Home Journal _ con- tained the Selznick ad, while the inside front cover of The Country Gentleman bore a colored layout, with the copy appeal directed to the patrons most likely to be vitally interested in the message of the silent drama. When the New Year ushers in on Jan- uary 1, 1920, Selznick's national campaign will be a matter of record, with the tre- mendous circulations of the aforemen- tioned publications — and the "reasons why" copy of Selznick advertisements — aimed di- rectly at the exhibitors' box-office via the short route of popular public opinion. Details of the Campaign An indication of the size of the Selznick advertising drive may be gained from the offical schedule in the Selznick offices, which show that one page in four colors will be inserted in the Ladies Home Journal twelve consecutive times, commencing Jan- uary 1, 1920, one page in two colors in- serted thirteen times (every fourth week) in The Saturday Evening Post, beginning January 1. The same schedule has been arranged for The Country Gentleman. The Red Book, Green Book, Blue Book, Mo- tion Picture Magazine, Photoplay, and Pic- ture-Play will receive one page each, twelve times, commencing January 1. The first advertisement in The Pictorial Review will appear in the February issue in cir- culation in January. The Pictorial Review advertisement will appear in four colors in a preferred position. Four pages will also appear in the January McClure's, on the news-stands in December. Careful Analysis Is Made The inauguration of Selznick's national advertising drive is the result of an analysis by advertising and merchandising experts thoroughly familiar with territorial re- quirements— and the requirements of mo- tion picture exhibitors. Officials of the Selznick Pictures Corporation point out that a consistent series of advertisements in such publications as the Saturday Even- ing Post, Ladies Home Journal, The Coun- try Gentleman, Pictorial Review, McClure's, etc., minimize the "waste" circulation. The campaign as conducted is aimed to give the exhibitors the utmost in co-oper- ation and promotion. The merchandising department of Select Pictures Corporation is now completing a comprehensive cam- paign which will show theatre owners the facts and figures concerning circulations and new ways and means to link up with the campaign, which, in cost and execution, is among the most far-reaching of any drive on advertising records. Proposing Producing Plant at Augusta, Ga. AUGUSTA, GA.— -Plans for a motion picture corporation which will employ 10,000 persons among whom will be some of the best actors in the United States has been received by the Augusta Board of Commerce. William J. Jossey, 852 First street, Macon, is backing the com- pany which will make Augusta its head- quarters and will take scenes in Rich- mond county. Secretary H. A. Wheeling, of the Board of Commerce, has received sev- eral letters from Jossey including a prospectus which is more than ten pages in length, giving in detail plans for or- ganizing the company which will be known as the Super Art-Film Corpora- tion. The company plans to make two and three reel Biblical pictures. Jossey ex- plains that the company will secure one of the best directors in the business and there is a chance that some Augusta young man or woman many break into the business. Third House at Woodbury WOODBURY, N. J.— Sale of the prop- erty of the late F. L. Wilkins to W. B. Snelbaker means another motion picture theatre for this city. The new owner proposes to move away the double dwelling and erect a handsome play- house, which will make the third for Woodbury, the work to begin in the early spring. Start "The Last Straw" Work on "The Last Straw," a story by Harold Titus starring Buck Jones, has been begun at the Fox studios in Hollywood under the direction of Charles Swickard. puiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiininiiiuiuiiiiiiiu^ inriMUi | WATCH IT SINK \ T? ROM time to time a New York trade paper makes the amusing declara- tion that it alone is an all-sufficient medium of expression and communi- cation for this industry. \ This declaration is amusing rather than convincing because in effect it is merely a solicitation that some benign influence come to its rescue and save it from the crucial test the competition creates. EXHIBITORS HERALD welcomes competition because it is only through comparison that the reader is enabled to detect real merit. (Which accounts for the tremendous circulation gains of this publication.) | The futile hope of monopoly, especially in the absent $T even the essentials of leadership, is a recognizable part of the desirtl* DOMINEER — not to serve. A publication which has lost the ideal of service has been hit below the water-line. Watch it sink. i 49 EXHIBITORS HERALD HOPE HARDING DAVIS ENTERTAINS "LEATHERNECKS The little four-year-old daughter of Richard Harding Davis was hostess to a group of marines at the first presentation of Allan Dwan's film version of "Soldiers of Fortune," from the famous Davis story, a Realart production. Vitagraph Stars Have Several Features Ready for Publication Alice Joyce Has 4 'Slaves of Pride" Completed and 'The Sporting Duchess" Under Way Other Players Ari tusy The close of 1919, one of the busiest and mosi prosperous in its history, finds Vitagraph not only offering several pro- ductions during December, but ex- tremely busy on new productions for well into the coming^year. All of its stars and special players are busy and both of Vitagraph's studios, at Brooklyn and Hollywood, are working overtime not alone to have their new pictures ready on schedule time, but in order that the Christmas holidays may be enjoyed. Alice Joyce, whose "The Vengeance of Durand," adapted by Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester from Rex Beach's story, is now playing, has another feature ready. It is called "'Slaves of Pride," and was adapted by William B. Courtney from a successful novel. George Tarwilliger directed it. Miss Joyce is now working on "The Sporting Duchess," which is nearly completed. Another Griffith Ready Corrinne Griffith, whose two recent features are "The Climbers" and "The Tower of Jewels," now has "Human Collateral" awaiting publication and has started work on "Deadline at Eleven." The latter is a newspaper story by Ruth Byers, herself a newspaper woman, and has been adapted to the screen by Lucien Hubbard, a former newspaper editor. Miss Griffith will appear as a society girl who leaves the home of her wealthy parents to make her way in the world as a newspaper reporter. The scenes are nearly all laid in and around a New York daily and the newspaper atmosphere is said to have been exceed- ingly well maintained. The activities at the Brooklyn studio have been further increased through the arrival of Earle Williams who had been making his features at the Hollywood studio. He came East especially to play the title role in Winchell Smith's "The Fortune Hunter," which was com- pleted last week. It was directed by Tom Terriss. Morey in Detective Role After waiting for several weeks for the weather to clear so that he might start work on "The Mightier Strength," which required many scenes in the mountains, Harry T. Morey was obliged to abandon that picture until next sum- mer and has started in on "Detective Jim." This play was written especially for Mr. Morey by Frederic Van Ren- selaer Dey, the creator of Nick Carter. Another of Mr. Morey's features, "The Darkest Hour." a tale of the great lumber camps, will be published this month, and still another, "The Birth of a Soul," a story of the mountains of North Carolina, will be presented early in the new year. In both these features Jean Paige appears as Mr. Morey's leading lady. Three other Vitagraph special produc- tions, featuring Bessie Love, Gladys Leslie and Anita Stewart respectively, will be published within a few weeks. Miss Love's picture is "Pegeen," a screen version of the novel by that name by Eleanor Hoyt Brainard. This is the last picture made by Miss Love under the direction of Vitagraph. Miss Leslie will be seen in "Ihe Midnight Bride," an adaptation of "The Marriage of Little Jeanne Sterling," a magazine story by Charles Stokes Wayne. "The Sins of the Mothers" will be the Anita Stewart feature. It will be one of the December offerings. Arthur S. Kane Makes Swing Around Circuit To Visit Exhibitors The Arthur S. Kane legend seems to be spreading. No sooner had he an- nounced in New York that he intended to visit the Pacific Coast than telegrams began to arrive from exhibitor friends in that part of the country asking when he expected to be in their cities. Mr. Kane says he is anxious to meet again as many of the theatre men as his time in the various cities will per- mit. He has made out an itinerary and proposes to adhere to it strictly in order not to miss appointments. As developed yesterday, the line of march of the re- cently retired president of Realait Pic- tures Corporation is as follows: Los Angeles, Hotel Alexandria, Thursday, December 11th to Wednesday, Decem- ber 17th; San Francisco, Hotel St. Francis, Thursday, December 18th and Friday, December 19th; Portland, Hotel Benson, Sunday, December 21st; Seat- tle, Monday, December 22nd and Tues- day, December 23rd. From Seattle Mr. Kane expects to re- turn to New York practically direct, possibly spending Saturday, December 27th in Minneapolis, at the Radisson Hotel. He should be in New York again by Monday, December 29th, after what he calls, " a vacation on the Pa- cific Coast." Camera Improvement By Keenan Director LOS ANGELES.— An invention which may be of great value to the art of photography was perfected recently by Eliot C. Howe, a motion picture direc- tor who is now making Frank Keenan Photoplays. The principal of the inven- tion is the use of three or four complete lenses and lens operture instead of one. The result is said to be clearer, brighter images, with great depth of focus, produced by much shorter ex- posure. Mary Pickford Is Sued By Mrs. Wilkening Again NEW YORK.— Gladys Mary Moore, better known as Mary Pickford, is being sued in the Federal District Court for $112,- 625 by Mrs. Cora C. Wilkening, a resident of this city. The action is based on serv- ices rendered as manager and adviser, which the plaintiff claims obtained large financial returns for the actress. This is the same suit originally won in the Supreme Court of this State by Mrs. Wilkening. The Appellate Division ordered a new trial which was won by Miss Pick- ford. The suit is brought in the Federal Court on the ground that Miss Pickford is a resident of California. 50 EXHIBITORS HERALD First Republic Pictures Feature Ready to Be Distributed Soon Prints on Way to Twenty-two Branch Offices- Production a Mystery Film —Full Line Of Advertising Accessories The first special feature to be dis- tributed by Republic Features will be the Herbert Brenon picture in which Marie Doro is the star. This six reel mystery film will have prints in all of the twenty-two branch offices this week and the small army of Republic salesmen are on their toes ready to make a record. The exhibitor who books this feature is promised the most complete line of business getting accessories given to a feature. Every sort of advertising medium has been pro- vided, it is said, from a twenty-four sheet stand to a lapel button that is as unique as the human mind can create. The lithograph material is multi- colored and has been engraved from sketches made by Harry S. Potter, who for many years has been regarded as the best poster artist in America and whose work has been recognized in Europe where he has been accorded signal honors for his work. Besides the twenty-four sheet stands a line of six, three and one sheets are included. Lithograph work has been done on the window cards. Impressive Lobby Displays The lobby displays embrace 8xl0's, llxl4's and 22x28's illustrations from the picture. Slides in four colors, advertis- ing cuts of original designs, matrices for newspaper work, cuts of scenes from the feature in various sizes and an original and positive box office magnet in the shape of an advertising novelty never employed before in exploiting a picture are included. "12:10," it is claimed, has the largest line of accessories ever pro- vided the exhibitor to cash in big. EDITH HAL, LOR In "The Blue Pearl," published by Repub- lic Distributing Corporation. "No campaign for a special is ever made unless it includes a plan or press book and that which has been provided '12:10' is one of the finest examples of showmanship ever given to the man who runs the theatre to cash in with," reads a part of the advance notice. Twelve different kinds of seat selling stunts are put up to the exhibitor. These are all practical and inexpensive. No special resource is required to convert them to a profitable use. They are good for a large city as well as the smallest town. They are not the kind that ema- nate from the brain of a publicity man as the hope born of desire. On the other hand they are such exploitation schemes as have been tried and found valuable. It is not necessary for a man to have been in the show business for a quarter of a century to put them over. The be- ginner can do it as well as the seasoned veteran. Newspaper Press Notices "The press notices in the plan book have been written from a newspaper angle with the single eye to put before the public the strongest appeal of the feature. There are enough of these notices to keep the papers busy for a week or more. "The exhibitor is also told just what element of the picture to play up and how to do it. What is there about the picture that will make it draw and how to get this to his people. "Not satisfied with leading the way to the publicity angle, Air. Exhibitor is given a suggestion on how at little ex- pense he can stage the picture. "Program readers and 'tease copy' are set forth and a number of perfect tie-ups with newspapers and stores are indi- cated and 'how to go about' to do it is clearly and tersely told. Primer Plan Book "The plan book is a primer, a text book on putting the show over and a first aid to the injured who can't make their house pay. The make up is at- tractive and the book in its entirety holds the eye and will be kept by the exhibitor for a long time to come to use perhaps in some form or other to ex- ploit other pictures that he may secure. "On one point exhibitors and the Re- public Distributing Corporation will agree and that is this plan book is the most sensible and practical put out in a long time. It has the saving grace that no ridiculous or hair brained ideas or half baked schemes have found them- selves within its covers." Sign Mystery Is Solved Mystery surrounding the coupling of a Selznick Pictures electric sign with that of the Midnight Revue, was cleared up :his week through an announcement from the company that Olive Thomas' new picture, "Out of the Night," in which the star impersonates Gloria Dawn of the Midnight Review, contained a scene in which the heroine of the piece is billed on Broadway. RUTH CLIFFORD Star in "The Imaging Woman," published by Republic Distributing Corporation. Selznick to Film His Stage Stories "Bucking the Tiger" First Play Is Scheduled for Broad- way Theatre Added significance is placed behind the announcement that Lewis J. Selznick has entered the legitimate producing field in advice from the Selznick offices that the plays presented on Broadway will be adapted to the screen for production in the Selznick Fort Lee Studios. Under this arrangement, motion picture exhibitors will receive the benefit of the public approval and popularity of stage successes, coupled with the extra publicity which is assured in publications throughout the country. "Bucking the Tiger" First "Bucking the Tiger," a comedy-drama by May TufTy and Achmed Abdullah, is the first play which Mr. Selznick will offer behind the footlights. It is scheduled for Broadway presentation early in January and negotiations are now under way for the lease of one of New York's largest and most centrally located theatres. '"Bucking the Tiger" is described as a novelty among legitimate stage produc- tions. The piece is constructed around the subject of the high cost of living. Several gentlemen — sons of the idle rich — contrive to whip the H. C. L. without working, and how they do it forms one of the most in- teresting plays from the pens of May Tully and Achmed Abdullah. Broadway Favorites in Cast The cast of "Bucking the Tiger" will be announced in the near future. It is said that several of Broadway's popular favor- ites are now in touch with Lewis J. Selz- nick and the stage director. Davis Joins Sennett James Davis has joined Mack Sen- nett's staff of directors and under the "Comedy King's" supervision, is making his first Paramount-Mack Sennett pic- ture. It will be published in January. Louise Fazenda is the featured player. 51 EXHIBITORS HERALD "THE LOST CITY" TROUPE ON LOCATION Juanita Hansen, star of the Selig production which Warner Brothers will distribute, is in the foreground surrounded by E. C. Martin, director; George Chesbro, lead- ing man, and Frank Clark and Hector Dow, who are in the supporting cast. Hobart Henley, Pathe Producer, To Seek Exhibitors9 Viewpoint Hobart Henley, producer, who created "The Gay Old Dog" for Pathe distribu- tion, and is now putting the finishing touches on "Skin Deep," his second at- traction, is planning to go direct .to the leading exhibitors of the country to ob- tain their views of the type of motion picture most popular at this time. When the cutting and assembling of "Skin Deep" has been completed, it is the intention of Mr. Henley to visit about sixteen key cities, and to confer with the foremost exhibitors in each ter- ritory. Wants Public's Views. In the past, producers have claimed they held their fingers directly on the pulse of the public, and made produc- tions according to the trend of the amusement lovers' views, but Mr. Hen- ley will be the real pioneer of the move- ment. He feels that no one is better fit- ted to judge what the public desires than the men who are fulfilling the wishes of their patrons. Henley wants to know particularly just how the public feels regarding the type of his productions. He knows how critics feel, for "The Gay Old Dos" was hailed as one of the three best pictures of the year. He knows he cannot reach the public any more directly than he can through the exhibitor — at least that part of the public in which he is chiefly inter- ested. That is the purpose of his in- tended trip, which will keep him away from the studio for possibly a month. Before leaving, Mr. Henley will make all preparations for the filming of his third Pathe attraction. Therefore he will lose no time putting it into work im- mediately upon his return. "The Gay Old Dog" continues to roll up a book- ing record. Everywhere the production is meeting with great success and a most noteworthy fact in connection with the picture is the long runs it is being ac- corded. "Skin Deep" Promises Exhibitors have realized they can capi- talize to the fullest on the word of mouth advertising "The Gay Old Dog" merits wherever it is shown, by giving the at- traction more plan than is offered their average feature. From all accounts, "Skin Deep" will have the same human heart touching appeal which character- ized "The Gay Old Dog." It is a story which Henley promises will not only be "skin deep" but which will get '"under the skin" just as his last production does. Mrs. Sidney Drew, who adapted Edna Ferber's "Gay Old Dog" for screening, also wrote the scenario for "Skin Deep," and her work is everything it was in Henley's first release through Pathe. Navy to See Fox Films By special arrangement Fox Films are to be shown on every ship of the United States Navy. This means that these pictures will be shown on more than a thousand warships. Completing "The Shark" "The Shark," starring George Walsh, will probably be completed during the next ten days at the Fox eastern studios. 52 Examine 300 Actors to Find Suitable Hero for "The Return of Tarzan" Numa Pictures Corporation had inter- viewed almost three hundred applicants before selecting Gene Pollar for the role of Tarzan in the forthcoming production of "The Return of Tarzan." The char- acter demanded both splendid physical prowess and attractive personality. It was amazing to discover how very few actors who had the physical require- ments possessed a face that could be reconciled to romance with a lovely English girl. Mr. Pollar was, to be exact, the 285th man to call at the offices of the com- pany. He frankly admitted that his ex- perience on the screen had been limited to minor appearances in western roles. He had just returned from nineteen months in service, and prior to joining Uncle Sam's all-star cast for perform- ance in Germany, had taken the rigid examination required for the fire depart- ment for New York City and had passed with a 100 per cent rating. A tryout before the camera quickly proved that Pollar screened well, has plenty of zip and interest in his work and that there doesn't appear to be a dare in the whole world of stunts that he won't grab and grin at and grin while he is at it. He is now in California with the com- pany under the direction of Harry Revier, where the jungle episodes of the picture are being made. Fred W. Sittenham to Direct "Master Mind" For Reeve and Grey The opening episodes of "The Master Mind," a new Reeve and Grey serial, have been started at their Flushing studio. The story features J. Robert Pauline, the hypnotist and vaudeville per- former, who entertained New York a few years ago by his demonstration of hypnosis and mind control. William Davis Assists Two directors are at work on the new serial. William Davis, formerly of Fox and Metro, is working in conjunction with Fred W. Sittenham. "Both Reeve and I have been con- nected with a great many serials," stated Mr. Grey, the president of Supreme Pic- tures, Inc., in an interview, "and I believe the director one of the most important adjuncts to a successful production. Impresses His Employer "When we started our own serial we looked around and were particularly im- pressed by the pep and spirit shown by Sittenham. He seems to be particularly fitted for serial direction, and when one considers the scarcity of good serial di- rectors you can well imagine the quan- dary we were in. To our knowledge, which covers over fifteen series between us," continued Mr. Grey, "there is really only one director who stand out as su- preme in the serial field. He was nat- urally unavailable, so the only course open was to develop a real competitor for first honors in the serial field." Pearl White to Start Pearl White will begin work on her first picture at the Fox eastern studio in a few days. Casting has already been started on the production which as yet is unnamed. EXHIBITORS HERALD John H. Kunsky Enterprises Join First National Expansion Plans Answer Rumors of Affiliation With Other Producers And Film Enterprises By Taking Lead In Circuit 's Program While the wires were being crossed and double crossed with various stories of his affiliation with other producers and film enterprises, John H. Kunsky, head of the John H. Kunsky Enterprises, Inc., quietly gave the lie to the rumors last week by lining himself up as one of the leaders in the First National Exhibitors' Circuit's plan for a general expansion. Mr. Kunsky, who owns the First Na- tional franchise for Michigan and is at the head of the Madison and Adams Theatres, two of the largest and most beautiful motion picture palaces in the world, besides a string of smaller neigh- borhood houses that furnish a good share of the pictured amusement in Detroit, has placed his shoulders squarely behind the movement, not only by subscribing generously from his capital, but by tak- ing an active interest in the plans for expansion. Proposes Seven New Theatres In addition to his theatrical interests at the present, Mr. Kunsky is now break- ing ground for two large theatres and has plans under way for the erection of five more, two of which will be in the heart of the business district and will give him control of practically all of the downtown motion picture patronage. This expansion of First National, which crystallized last week with the an- nouncement of the formation of two allied companies with a combined cap- ital of $16,400,000. The Associated First National Theatres, Inc., capital $10,400,- 000, and the Associated First National Pictures, Inc., capital $6,000,000, is looked on, not only by Mr. Kunsky, but by nearly every exhibitor in Michigan, as one of the most important developments in the history of the industry relative to the alignment of exhibiting interests. Mr. Kunsky's immediate action and in- terest in the proposition after it was of- fered to him by J. D. Williams, general manager of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, when the latter was in Detroit a few days ago, is strongly indicative of the attitude of other leading exhib- itors in the Central West, among whom Mr. Kunsky is looked on as a pioneer, and one whose ideas on motion picture showmanship are very seldom ques- tioned. When a picture is booked for a run at either the Madison or Adams Theatres, the exhibitors in Michigan, al- though not necessarily looking upon the picture as in a class all its own, know that its box office possibilities must be there or Mr. Kunsky would not have booked it. Such is Mr. Kunsky's stand- ing among the exhibitors; therefore all of his business actions are looked on with a good deal of interest. Trendle Is Enthusiastic George W. Trendle, secretary of the First National Film Exchange of Mich- igan, and general manager of the John H. Kunsky Enterprises, issued the fol- lowing statement relative to the expan- sion plans: "Although we were firm believers in the future of the First National Ex- hibitors' Circuit at the time it was con- ceived three years ago and have become more and more enthused as its policies and products loomed up to improve the market, the new expansion plans which call for a real showdown in the protec- tion of the exhibiting interests of the country, mix the proper prescription to make us jump into the ring with all four feet. "I do not believe that any better idea for the protection of the smaller inter- ests could be conceived than those now being considered by the Circuit and we are heart and soul behind the move- ment." Give Three Pictures Premiers at Coast (Special to EXHIBITORS HERALD) LOS ANGELES, CALIF., Dec. 9.— Three big pictures received their Wes- tern premiers here this week. "Vic- tory," Maurice Tourneur's Paramount- Artcraft production opened at Grau- man's theatre. "Heart of the Hills." Mary Pickford's First National attrac- tion and Allan Dwan's "Soldiers of Fortune," Realart, began runs at the Kinema and California. "Martha's Vin- dication," with Norma Talmadge, and "The Weaker Sex," with Louise Glaum, Triangle reissues are the attractions at the Symphony and Alhambra. Selznick and Weber Join in Corporation] To Produce features Lewis J. Selznick and L. L. Weber, who has figured prominently in various stage and screen enterprises, have com- bined forces to launch a producing or- ganization to be known as the Weber Productions, Inc. The Peerless studios at Fort Lee, N. J., will be used for the production of "Children of Destiny," which will have as its star Edith Hallor, one-time Zieg- feld Follies girl, also well known for her portrayal of the leading role in "Leave It to Jane" and as Intoxication in "Experience," the stage spectacle of a few seasons ago. The productions are to be offered with the advantage of intensive adver- tising and publicity campaigns, this part of the work to come directly under the care of Mr. Selznick. Both men express themselves as highly pleased with the association and confident of wholly sat- isfactory results from the enterprise. Fox Buys Five Novels For Use as Film Plays William Farnum, George Walsh and William Russell are the Fox stars ten- tatively chosen for the leading roles in the picturizations of five novels which have just been purchased by that organ- ization for screen purposes. The novels are, "The Iron Rider," by Frank L. Packard, "The Orphan," by Clarence Mulford, "The Honor of the Force," the work of Alan Sullivan, "Find the Woman," a Gelett Burgess novel, and "The Penalty," a stage play by Henry Clifford Colwell. MARY PICKFORD IN ROLE OF CUPID Frances Marion, scenario writer, and Fred Thompson, former world's champion athlete and chaplain of the 143rd Field Artillery, were recently married at Memo- rial Baptist Church, Washington Square. Mary Pickford acted as bridesmaid, since it was she who first introduced them two years ago. 53 EXHIBITORS HERALD EDWARD JOSE ON THE WEST COAST The well-known director is now in California assembling a cast preparatory to directing Anita Stewart in "The Fighting Shepherdess." Edward Jose Selecting Players For "The Fighting Shepherdess Edward Jose, the Belgian director who is now at work in Los Angeles, California, on Anita Stewart's next First National picture, "The Fighting Shep- herdess," an adaptation from Caroline Lockhardt's famous novel of that name, announces that Noah Berry has been engaged to play the part of "Mormon Jo," one of the most interesting char- acters in the story, and that the unique character of Jezebel will be portrayed by Eugene Besser. Wallace MacDon- ald will take the part of Hughie, and Pete Mullendore, whose character is so well portrayed in the novel, will be played by Walter Long. The picture deals with the struggles of the early settlers in a Western com- munity-— the lofty mountains and sage- bush plains form a fitting background for the story — which is said to be rich in human interest, a combination of hu- mor, pathos, love and adventure. Edward Jose believes that in the screen productions of the future, psy- chology will play an important role. Writers, directors and producers are be- ginning to realize that the public demand for melodrama is nqt as insistent as in former days and stories of human inter- est are now being much sought after, as a much welcomed change from the old standards of the past. In "The Fighting Shepherdess," he says, while the plot excites the interest, and leaves much to the imagination until the story is brought to ariose, it .also offers great opportunities for character delineation, and there is plenty of local color and many possibilities are offered for beau- tiful scenic effects. Miss Stewart will play the part of Katie Prentice, the lit- tle shepherdess, who wins all hearts by virtue of her beauty, youth and inexpe- rience. Lloyd Hughes is Signed As Thomas H. Ince Star A new star has been added to the Thomas H. Ince firmament. Lloyd Hughes is his name. His recently signed contract covers a period of five years. He started his picture career under King Vidor in Culver City, playing in com- edies. From the Vidor lot he went to the American studio in Santa Barbara, play- ing juvenile leads with Margarita Fisher. His next part was at Universal City in "The Heart of Humanity." Fol- lowing this, he played a lead in "The Turn in the Road," at the Brentwood studio; then at the Ince studio with Enid Bennett in "The Haunted Bedroom," after which he was loaned to the Morosco studio where he worked with Vivian Martin in "An Innocent Adven- turess." Coming back to the Ince lot once more, he played in "The Virtuous Thief," with Enid Bennett, which he fol- lowed up with a lead in the Thomas H. Ince special production, "Dangerous Hours." Plan $300,000 Theatre NEW YORK.— Plans have been filed for a two-story theatre and garage to be erected at 262 West 145th street by the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Street Theatre Company on a plot 88x72. The structure will cost $300,000. Begin Exploitation Of "Old Kentucky" Film Version of Famous Play Will Open in Detroit for Extended Run The first gun in the road exploitation of Anita Stewart's massive production, "In Old Kentucky," was fired this week when Leon Victor left New York for Cleveland, Detroit and other central western cities to make preparations for the long run engagements of the pro- duction in these cities. Louis B. Mayer had a special object in view in selecting Mr. Victor to un- dertake this work, for he was the orig- inal agent who piloted the dramatic pro- duction of "In Old Kentucky" 27 years ago. Veteran Plans Exploitations Since that time Mr. Victor has seen "In Old Kentucky" tour the country year after year, smashing house records and becoming implanted firmly in the hearts of the American public as the one big American play. The records of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Old Homestead," "Black Beauty" and other well-known successes pale into insignificance when placed alongside that of Charles T. Dazey's remarkable classic. Not even the panic of 1893 nor subse- quent panics could stay the progress of this freak of showmanship. This season has been no exception and two dramatic companies are touring the United States and Canada to a business which shows no decrease from that of former years. Long Theatrical Record Mr. Victor has had many connections in the theatrical world, but none which he treasures more highly than that with "In Old Kentucky." The first engagement of the motion picture production will start in Detroit, December 21st, where it will run indefi- nitely. The week following, engage- ments will be started hi Cleveland, Min- neapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Kansas City, St. Louis and other first run cities. In every instance engagements are for ex- tended runs. Lodge to Build Theatre Despite Deed Provision HANNIBAL, MO.— Whether a provis- ion in a warranty deed made five years ago, when the Hannibal Fraternal Order of Eagles purchased ground in the Han- nibal business section still holds good, may be thrashed out in court. The Eagles recently announced that a theatre and lodgeroom would be erected on the ground, which is oppo- site the Star theatre, Hannibal's largest motion picture house. The ground was purchased from John B. Price, then sole owner of the Star theatre, and the war- ranty deed stipulated that no theatre could be erected on the lot. Price, who is now a stockholder in the company which owns the Star theatre, yesterday notified the Eagles of the agreement made five years ago. However, the Eagles intend to go ahead with their plans, and thrash out the matter in court, should the other side take such legal steps. The new theatre building will cost $100,000. 54 EXHIBITORS HERALD Burton Holmes Series of Films , On Re-Making Europe Completed Visited Entire Battle-Line in France and Then Went Into Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, and Other Countries That future issues of the Paramount- Burton Holmes Travel Pictures give everj' promise of being the most interesting and unusual short subjects ever made available to exhibitors, is the statement of the Famous Playcrs-Lasky Corporation, which recently received from Mr. Holmes a resume of the pho- topraphic operations of his party in Eu- rope during the past summer and early fall. Mr. Holmes and his party, which in- cluded his business manager, Louis Francis Brown, and his chief cinematog- rapher, Herford Tynes Cowling, left New York in June, going direct to England. The time spent there was comparatively short, their main object being to get views of Continental Europe in the re- making. Crossing to France, they pro- ceeded at once to photograph the battle fields and ruins of the wartorn area. Visit Entire Battle Line Every point of interest in Northeast- ern France from the North Sea to the Southermost salient of the battle line was visited, special attention being de- voted to Ypres and the Hindenburg Line as well as St. Mihiel and the Argonne where s» many thousands of American soldiers laid down their lives in the big drive which spelled Germany's doom. Belgium was then completely covered and some wonderful pictures were ob- tained of the ruins of the cities which were in the path of the Germans when they first swept through five years ago. Liege, where the mammoth Belgian for- tifications withstood the battering of the German 42's just long enough to allow France to organize and Great Britain to get her first hundred thousand across the channel, proved most interesting, the ruined fortifications being left just as they were when the big guns ceased their hammering. Go Into Alsace-Lorraine From Belgium the party went down into Alsace-Lorraine and many pictures taken there which, when thrown on the screen, will offer ample evidence of the unbounded joy of the people in living Dnce more under the flag of France. Then they made their way into Germany, visit- ing all sections of the so-called Rhine- land, making a comprehensive pictorial record of living conditions among the people and the more or less peaceful op- erations of the American and Allied ar- mies of occupation. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Brown then re- turned to America to complete arrange- ments for the former's present season of lectures and Mr. Cowling was left to continue the photographic work. He first covered Czecho-Slovakia, including Bohemia and Moravia; then worked up through Austria and into Switzerland. He is now doing the Pyrenees Mountains in Southern France and from there he will cross the Mediterranean and travel through Algeria, Tunis and Egypt. Re- turning, he will visit Italy and the Dal- mantian Coast, which just now occupies the center of European political interest. Obtains Something "Different" On his tour, Mr. Cowling has paid par- ticular attention to unusual subjects and writes that he has obtained a lot of stuff that is different from anything that has yet been seen in films. The Paramount- Burton Holmes Travel Pictures now cur- rent are composed for the most part of a series which he took in the Far East and the islands of the South Sea. On this trip, which was the longest purely pho- tographic tour on record, he covered more than 200,000 miles. Marjorie Rambeau in First Capellani Film Marjorie Rambeau has begun work on her first picture for the Albert Capellani Productions, Inc., at the Solaz Studios, Fort Lee. Mr. Capellani and George Proctor finished the scenario of "The Fortune Teller," the play in which Miss Rambeau appeared so successfully on Broadway last year, at midnight Sunday night and by noon on Monday, the cast of the picture was engaged. Miss Rambeau will have the role of Renee Brenner; Frederick Burton that of Horatio Brenner; Virginia Lee that of Eleanor Leonard; Joe Burke that of James Ellis; E. L. Fernandez that of Tony and Raymond McKee that of Sergius. VERA STEDMAN New lead in Christie Comedies. Change Hyland Title The title of "Auld Lang Syne" the next Fox release for Peggy Hyland. has been changed to "Faith." J. Anthony Roach is the author and Howard M. Mitchell, the director. 55 — i — To get an idea of the size of the painting of Priscilla Dean on the north wall of the Mecca building, the home of Univer- sal in New York City, comnare the eye with the size of the two painters. It is said to be the world's largest portrait. Campaign Books for 'The Invisible Hand" Are Placed in Mail Vitagraph's compaign and plan book for its news serial, "The Invisible Hand," in which Antonio Moreno is starred, has been placed in the mails. It is filled with exploitation matter and exhibitor aids on this latest Smith-Brady chapter play, The plan book is made up of fifty-two pages, including the covers, and meas- ures ten by fourteen inches. The front and back covers are of unusual interest, each containing an exact four color re- production of the two special twenty-four sheet stands provided for the serial and the entire book pictorially is a work of art. Two pages are devoted to biog- raphies of the star and the leading mem- bers of his supporting cast including Pauline Curley, who plays opposite Mr. Moreno. Thirty pages are given to ad- vance notices, readers and other matter that should be of great value to the ex- hibitor— two pages to each of the fifteen episodes. The lobby display, banner, paper, heralds, scenes and portraits are also shown together with two pages of exploitation stunts and hints to the ex- hibitor. Cberlin, Ohio, to Have Another New Play House OBERLIN, OHIO.— The Rex theatre, which was closed two years aeo. has been completely remodeled and will open as a motion picture house. The new management will be Hobbs & Broadwell, S. S. Hobbs is the owner of the building- and Mr. Rr^ariwpil was formerly manager of the Apollo theatre. EXHIBITORS HERALD "Chic" Sale Broadway Comedian Signs Robertson- Cole Contract "Circus Days" Charles "Chic" Sale, who has driven away the blues from many thousands with his work in the Passing Show of 1917 in the Midnight Frolics and as the star of Monte Christo, Jr., will soon make millions laugh, for he has been captured for the screen. This important announcement was made by Robertson-Cole after the comedian had affixed his signature to a long time con- tract. "Chic" Sale is to the fun-loving public as Caruso is to the operatic stage and his natural ability to make, others forget by his real impersonations has won for him an enviable reputation from California to New York. "Chic" is now on his way to the Coast with his own act and after play- ing the principal theatres in the country will return to New York and arrange to commence his screen work for Robertson- Cole. Ability Already Established Robertson-Cole officials in signing Sale believe they have captured the best bet for 1920 pictures. They claim that Sale's abil- ity has already been established on the stage and that the screen will make him all the more popular. In bringing him to the screen, Robertson-Cole promised the actor that Irving Cobb will be among the shining lights who will write plays around him. After his success along Broadway dur- ing the past two years Sale believed it was time to further his ability by entering screenland. As soon as this news was flashed among the trade many were the offers tendered him. He looked them over carefully and finally decided that he would join hands and produce for Robertson- Cole. "I have worked hard on the stage just to realize one ambition," said Mr. Sale, after he had become a Robertson-Cole star. "Of course it is very fine to be able to mount a stage and please thousands in a short time. But I believed in progress, and after I arrived at the top of the spoken drama I decided to enter tne movies. Admirer of Screen "I have been an ardent admirer of the silent drama for many years, but I re- fused offers several years ago. I did this so that my name might mean something to the trade at the time I decided to desert the spoken stage for the studio makeup. I honestly believe that it is far better to work up to be a movie star from the stage than it is to be born a motion picture celeb- rity over night. "Experience is sure the best teacher, and confidence is gained by one point — hard work on the stage. Poise and manner of natural acting are brought to the attention of the actor on the stage, and what he learns will be of great benefit to him on the screen. "From the time I went on the stage to the present I believed in the art of effective makeup. This art alone will be one of my big assets on the screen. Never in my life did I try to impersonate a character unless I spent a great deal of time with the orig- inal learning his natural mannerisms. This was a great aid to me and I profited by it. Time for Study "Another big advantage in working for the silent screen is being able to utilize evening for study mixed with pleasure. On the stage it is work every night I am of the opinion that unless a star keeps in study harness year in and year out there will be a smash. In the movies you can work by day and either rest, study or have needed recreation by night. "It is my opinion that the screen is be- coming more popular with time. Years ago the star of the big show frowned upon a thought of entering the movies, but today it is considered a big boost to be elevated from the spoken to the silent drama." Robertson-Cole plan to commence work on the first of the Sale series about Jan- uary 15. It is predicted that the latest addi- tion to the Robertson-Cole all-star players will make his initial bow to the camera in California studios. "chic sale: Vaudeville headliner who has been signed to appear in a series of productions for Robertson-Cole, the first being; "The "Smart Aleck," an Irwin S. Cobb story. Musical Setting Ready For Chaplin's "Carmen" The musical setting for Victor Kremer Essanay-Chaplin production, "A Bur- lesque on Carmen," has been completed after several weeks preparation. It is claimed to be the most elaborate musical score ever compiled for a comedy pro- duction and contains many original mel- odies. The setting was made by Wm. J. Mc- Kenna, author of "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly," the musical comedy entitled "The Bride Shop" and many other suc- cesses. The arrangement of the score has been made under the personal direc- tion of L. L. Vosburg, former musical director of "The Wanderer" and who is also responsible for the arrangement of the new "Hitchy-Koo" music. Issue Film Press Book The special press book on their five reel production "The Superman," a melo- drama tinged with humor, thrills and ro- mance is now ready, announces Tower Film Corporation. The book covers phases in exploitation for the melo- drama. 56 Alex Yokel and J. Stuart Gillespie in the Parnraount-Briggs Comedy of that name "A Woman in Gray" Is Declared as Different From Most of Serials "A Woman in Gray," starring Arline Pretty and directed by James Vincent, is announced to be an entirely different style of serial than anything ever before attempted in this particular style of screen entertainment. It is based on C. N. and A. M. Williamson's mystery novel. Walter Richard Hall wrote the screen version. The finished production won the ap- proval of C. N. and A. M. Williamson and has been pronounced by George H. Wiley, president of the Serico Producing Corporation, as the "ultimate in serial creations." "A Woman in Gray" attained the dig- nity of a "best seller." It appeared orig- inally in book form and is now being published by Doubleday, Page & Co., in a new edition with illustrations taken from the "stills" of the serial. This gives the serial a special exploitation value, particularly in connection with the publicity and advertising campaign which will be launched by the Serico Producing Corporation. Arline Pretty, who plays the part of the "Woman in Gray," is supported by Henry G. Sell, the hero of numerous Pearl White serials, and a cast of serial favorites including Fred Jones, Margaret Fielding, James Heenan, Ann Brody, Walter Chapin and Jack Newton. Third Stuart Blackton "My Husband's Other Wife," a dra- matic story of powerful appeal, will be the third of the series of J. Stuart Black- ton productions to be distributed by Pathe. This play follows "The Moon- shine Trail," and "Dawn," Eleanor H. Porter's celebrated novel, which have maintained Commodore Blackton's repu- tation for building screen dramas. EXHIBITORS HERALD Associated Exhibitors Assured Full Support of Pathe Company Charles Pathe, Prior to Departure for France, Pledges Success of Plan — Impressed with Healthy Condition of Industry Every resource of Pathe Exchange, Inc., has been pledged to the successful culmi- nation of the plan of the Associated Ex- hibitors, Inc., as the result of the recent visit to America of Charles Pathe, head of the international organization which bears his name. Mr. Pathe, accompanied by Madame Pathe and the Misses Pathe, has returned to France. During his visit here, Mr. Pathe trans- acted an enormous amount of business looking to the expansion and increased activities of Pathe Exchange, Inc. It was his second time in America this year and during his stay plans touching on every activity of the organization were thor- oughly gone into. Paul Brunet, vice-president and gen- eral manager, has been devoting unlim- ited energy an enthusiasm to the project of the Associated Exhibitors, Inc., an- nouncement of which was made recently. Considerable difficult work has been ac- complished in a relatively short time and when Mr. Pathe was about to take his departure, the plan had matured and ab- solutely guaranteed in a manner which assured the fullest measure of successful operation. Company Head Gratified. Mr. Pathe expressed himself as deeply gratified by the early results and again pledged the resources of Pathe Exchange, Inc., in support of the plan. "I am especially impressed by the phe- nomenally healthy condition in the in- dustry," said Mr. Pathe just before his departure. "Exhibitor reports that I have seen from all sections show that a stead- ily increasing number of persons attend the shows of motion pictures. The first run houses are playing to capacity and all of the smaller theatres have felt the new impetus. And, looking at these facts from the standpoint other than commer- cial, I can see that this phase is not merely temporary but indicative of the even broader vogue that will be attained by motion pictures. The building in New York and other portions of the country of magnificent palaces for the cinema is an indication of the increasingly firm foundation upon which this form of amusement now rests. It means, too, that to meet the critical demand, better pictures will have to be made, even admitting that the standard now reached is becoming impressive. Predicts Better Pictures. "The demand is not only for skillfully constructed stories dealing with human emotion but for sympathetic and skilled producers, who can translate these crea- tions to the screen so that they may make an unfailing appeal to the hearts of the beholders. Pathe Exchange, Inc., therefore, has reason to teel proud in the enrollment of such acknowledged mas- ters of the art as Albert Capellani, J. Stuart Blackton, Jesse D. Hampton, Mrs. Sidney Drew, Hobart Henley, Frank Keenan, Leonce Perret, Edwin Carew, and Edgar Lewis, with more in prospect. These are the minds that are putting the humanities into the pictures with a craftsmanship that squares nicely to all of the requirements of art of the drama. The coming year, I believe I am safe in saying, will be more than ever fruitful of achievement. "I have been most fully impressed by the spirit that pervades the organization in all of its branches. It is a wide- awake achieving American spirit which will make itself felt in every country of the world; and I want to say a word of special commendation of all of the ex- ecutives in the Home Office and the far flung exchanges, under the active chief- tancy of Mr. Paul Brunet. The business of the organization has increased in a surprising and gratifying fashion. The mere enumeration of figures means little beside the splendid family spirit of pulling together and mak- ing the big features with big results. My second stay this year has been overflow- ing with activities but it has been one of the most pleasant and memorable. I hope to return soon again and depart happy in the realization of a great vol- ume of constructive work safely accom- plished. First National and Rothacker Cooperate In Speedy Service When a print of Anita Stewart's "Mary Regan" was returned to the Cleveland First National Exchange, it was found that 400 feet of one reel were missing. There had been a fire. "Mary Regan" booked in a Cleveland suburban theatre at 11 o'clock the next day, and that was the only print the Cleveland office had available. The Cleveland exchange long-distanced to ask the Rothacker Film Mfg. Co.'s Chicago plant, where the "Mary Regan" negative is kept, what could be done. The night watchman received the tele- phoned "S. O. S." at 8:30 in the evening. G. H. Gibson, superintendent of labora- tories, was at the plant at 9:06. By 11 o'clock a special messenger was aboard a train for Cleveland, carrying the 400 feet of celluloid — and the suburban Anita Stewart fans held their rally at the thea- tre as per schedule. "Grumpy" Purchased by Robertson- Cole Firm "Grumpy," the play which attracted theatre goers in all parts of the world and whose gross receipts during its four years' run were large, will soon be filmed. This announcement was made this week by officials of Robertson-Cole. It will be a Robertson-Cole special and a celebrated star will be seen in the stellar role of "Grumpy." Theatrical producers have said that "Grumpy" was the best money producer that has ever played Broadway. The record in New York City of this success was heralded abroad and when "Grumpy" reappeared in Europe, dramatic critics, it is said, declared that it outshone all previous stage productions both in a financial and entertaining qualities. A STORY OF THE UNDERWORLD AND ITS PITFALLS EXHIBITORS HERALD EDWARD EARLE AND GLADYS HULETTE IN "HIGH SPEED Three scenes from Frank G. Hall's production which is an adaption of Clinton H. Stagg's famous racing story of the same title. It is scheduled as a New Year's publication on the Hallmark program. Arrow to State-Right the New Payton Serial "The Fatal Sign Dr. "W. E. Schallenberger, president of Arrow Film Corporation, announces that Arrow will market the new Stuart Payton Serial, "The Fatal Sign." Arrow will place this serial on the state-rights market, handling the sales of United States and Canada. The serial is in fifteen episodes of two reels each and was written, scenarioized and directed by Stuart Payton, one of the first director-producers to publish a serial drama. Payton's Long Experience Director Payton's reputation as a se- rial director dates back to the early days when Universal first placed its serial productions on the market. He was at one time scenario editor for Universal and during his early career as a direc- tor-producer, directed such well known productions as "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," "Peace at Any Price," "Like Wild Fire," "The Green Seal," "Beloved Jim" and the serial, "The Gray Ghost." In Mr. Payton's latest serial produc- tion, "The Fatal Sign," Claire Anderson and Harry Carter have the feature parts and included in the cast are such well known serial actors as Joe Girard, Boyd Irwin and Leo Maloney. Mr. Payton has taken for his theme the exploits of a noted band of criminals whose repu- tation for notorious crime equals that of the famous Camorra gang that for many years terrorized the cities of Europe. For the serial's principal characters, he has impersonated the leader of this gang, his lieutenant, a noted criminolo- gist, and a girl and her father who are hounded by the gang. Harry Carter in Serial Harry Carter, well known for his im- personation of serial roles is seen in the part of the leader of the gang. Claire Anderson who entered the silent drama as a comedian for the old Triangle-Key- stone company and who was later placed in strong dramatic roles by some of the biggest producers on the coast, is seen in the role of the heroine. Joe Girard, one <>f the best known character men on the screen has the part of the chief of police and Boyd Irwin impersonates the role of Dexter, the master criminologist who runs down the gang. Leo Maloney is seen in the role of Dexter's assistant. For the exploitation of this serial Ar- row Film Corporation will launch one of the biggest advertising and publicity campaigns ever waged in the interest of a serial production. The press sheet con- taining the synopsis of each of the fifteen eposides, newspaper cuts, star cuts, catch lines for the dailies, advance reviews and numerous other exploitation helps for the exhibitors, is now on the press and is expected to be placed in the hands of Arrow Film salesmen within the next week. "The Heart of a Gypsy" Loew Circuit Feature "The Heart of a Gypsy," a late pic- ture on Hallmark Pictures Corporation's Famous Directors' Series is now booked as feature attraction at the Loew Cir- cuit of Theatres in New York. This is the fifth of the series of twenty-six pic- tures which compose the Famous Direc- tors' Series. Florence Billings is starred, supported by Aida Horton, Mathilda Brundage, Fay Evelyn, Joseph Wehn, Bradley Barker, Corliss Giles, Franklyn George, Hubert Wilkie, Sara Biala, and Gaston Bell. The story was written by Elizabeth Ethel Donaher. Picture was directed by Charles Miller and photographed by Ed- ward C. Earl. It deals with the romance of a gypsy tribe. Griffith Trys Out Films Yonkers and Mt. Vernon, New York, have been chosen by D. W. Griffith in which to try out his new pictures thus far since the moving of his production headquarters from Los Angeles to Mamaroneck. One of the wizard's new pictures has been shown in each of the towns and keenest rivalry exists, it is said, as to which of the villages is to get the next one. "The Beauty Market" On Christmas List Of First National "The Beauty Market," Katherine Mac- Donald's second starring production through First National Exhibitor's Cir- cuit, is now on the verge of publication, according to a late announcement. As the star of "The Thunderbolt," her first production from her own studios, Miss MacDonald has been warmly praised. The story value of "The Beauty Market," it is said, affords a wealth of exploitation possibilities and the direc- tion shows touches of a humanism sel- dom found. As a society play "The Beauty Mar- ket" is a point blank derision of the popular game of society sham. Fearless in its treatment of the most delicate sub- jects, yet entirely fair to those who have unwittingly been tangled in society's web, the picture casts a new light on the inside views of fashionable folk, it is claimed. While the prime desire in the produc- tion of "The Beauty Market," centered on an effort to faithfully carry out an intensely appealing thought regarding an X-ray inspection into society, the pic- ture resulted in an unusual assortment of pretentious scenes. Yielding to requests that "The Beauty Market" be published in time for use on Christmas day programs, First National decided to publish the attrac- tion during the first week of December or shortly thereafter. Ray and Cast Start "Homer Comes Home" Work has been started by Charles Ray and his supporting company in their current production, "Homer Comes Home," which was adapted to the screen by Agnes Christine Johnston, from the original story of the same name by Alexander Hull. A strong supporting cast has been se- lectedf composed of Priscilla Bonner, Otto Hoffman, Ralph McCullough, Wal- ter Higby, Arthur Hoyt, Tom Guise, Gus Leonard, Joe Hazleton, Bert Wood- ruff, Lew Morrison and Mollie McCon- nell. 5S EXHIBITORS HERALD First Buck Jones Feature Will Be Published This Month By Fox 4 The Square Shooter" One of Three Westerns Scheduled for December — Others Are Mix And Russell Vehicles First Run Theatres Become Followers of New Lloyd Comedies A partial list of first run theatres which have been added to the followers of the new series of Lloyd two-reel comedies within a fortnight has been made public by Pathe. They are: The Strand, Providence, Capitol, Springfield, Mass.; Gayety, Springfield, 111.; Liberty, San Jose, Cal.; Turner and Dahnken, Sacramento; Blackton, Pitts- burg; Camerphone, East Liberty; Co- lumbia, Erie; Columbia, Dayton; Vir- ginian, Charlestown, W. Va.; Strand, Lexington; Hippodrome, Warren; Dome, Youngstown; Strand, Akron; Strand and Orpheum, Cleveland; (day and date); Alhambra, Toledo; Alhambra, Canton; Majestic, Mansfield; Strand, Tulsa. William Penn, Chester; Savoy, Wil- mington; Lyric, Reading; Dauphine, Mo- bile; Liberty, Kansas City; Wichita, Wichita; America, Denver; Colonial, Lincoln; Place, Sioux City; Clemmer, Seattle; Ogden, Ogden; Luna Lite, Marion; Liberty, Terre Haute; Rivera, Anderson; Strand, Evansville; Wysor- Grand, Muncie; Gladmer, Lansing; Ful- ler, Kalamazoo; Strand, Fort Dodge; Pastime, Iowa City; Newark, Newark, N. J.; Capital, Elizabeth; Lyric, Pater- son; Superba, Raleigh; Rivoli, Columbia, S. C; Garing, Greenville; Olympic and Strand, Buffalo; (day and date). Vic- toria, Rochester; Liberty, Walla Walla; Hippodrome, Spokane; Colonial, Colum- bus; Strand, Cincinnati; Shade, San- dusky O.; Auditorium, South Bend; New Park, Johnstown; and Strand, Altoona. This list includes the leading theatres reported by only a few of the thirty-two Pathe exchanges which circle the United States. "The Tong Man" Wins Author's Warm Praise In "The Tong Man," officials of Rob- ertson-Cole believe they have the sen- sational film drama of the year. That the Robertson-Cole officials are not the only ones who predict this great fealure starring Sessue Hayakawa will be one of the best of the year is best evidenced by the many compliments the produc- tion has received after previews. The picture, which will be released early in December, is a ripsnorting Chi- nese melodrama where excitement plays the principal part. The picture is taken from the book, "The Dragon's Daugh- ter," written by Clyde C. Westover. After reviewing his work on the screen in "The Tong Man," the author of the book sent a letter of congratulation to the officials of the Haworth Studio in California. "You have made a very colorful, as well as grippwig production of 'The Tong Man,' which is your screen version of my novel, "The Dragon's Daughter," was Mr. Westover's com- ment. Retitled Chaplin Ready Tower Film Corporation announces that they have ready for publication and are selling state rights on the second single reel Charlie Chaplin special, "Lord Helpus," formerly "Cruel, Cruel Love." This is to follow "Some Nerve," the first of a series of single reel Charlie Chaplin productions, each one of which is se- lected from the great number of his productions. With nine pictures from Fox Film Corporation for the month of December particular interest attaches to the last feature to reach the exhibitor during this period. This production is the first vehicle of the new star, Buck Jones, champion horseman of the world and en- tertainer of royalties in Paris during the war. "The Square Shooter," is the name of Buck's first picture under the Fox ban- ner, and much is expected of it by the producer. Another notable fact about the Fox pictures for December is that only three of these are feature pictures, and each of the three is a western drama with a male star. None of the female stars of the Fox galaxy is represented in De- cember. Tom Mix in " The Feud" According to the schedule the produc- tions listed are as follows: "The Feud," a vivid story of the early West, with Tom Mix as the star, is fol- lowed by a Sunshine Comedy, "Back to Nature Girls." Next comes one of the Bud Fisher animated cartoons, "Iceland." The second Mutt and Jeff of the month is titled "Cutting Out His Nonsense." William Russell will be seen in an adaptation of Paul Dickey's popular story "The Lincoln Highwayman." Fol- lowing this comes "The Roaming Bath- tub," a Sunshine Comedy, and the third Mutt and Jeff cartoon "For Bitter or for Verse." New Type of Western A new type of Western production is heralded in "The Square Shooter," the opening Buck Jones vehicle. Every facility has been placed at the disposal of Charles Swickard, who directed this picture, in order that it might be made a smashing success. The last of the Mutt and Jeff car- toons scheduled for December is a rural melodrama "He Ain't Done Right by Our Neli," something unique in the field of animated black-and-white sketches. Elaborate stage settings have been given the interiors of all the Westerns, and many novel bits of star business have been brought out by Mix, Russell and Jones. Edward J. LeSaint directed Tom Mix in "The Feud," Emmett J. Flynn guided Mr. Russell through "The Lincoln High- wayman," and Mr. Swickard was the di- rector of Buck Jones in "The Square Shooter." To Begin Reed Feature As soon as Florence Reed returns to New York from her tour on the road, she will find everything in readiness at the Tribune studios for her to begin making scenes for a new dramatic fea- ture photoplay. Miss Reed's latest film offering, "The Eternal Mother," is about to be published by the United Picture Theatres of America. Buck Jones and the members of his company enjoy a real barbecue spread at the Agours ranch, where he is making his first Fox picture, "The Square Shooter," under the direction of Charles Swickard. 59 EVEN SCREEN STARS HAVE TO EAT EXHIBITORS HERALD Robertson-Cole Company Ends First Year in Domestic Field Long Established Importing and Exporting Firm Celebrates First Anniversary in U. S. Film Trade on December 15 Robertson-Cole Company, division of films celebrates its first birthday in the do- mestic field of operations in the motion picture industry December 15. It marks the close of a year of expansion and de- velopment and the beginning of a new year with the company recognized among the important of the industry's factors. The past year has been marked by the continuous growth of the concern and in the past three months progress has been rapid. Although the first actual publication of Robertson-Cole occurred a year ago the firm had long been established among the leading importers and exporters of the United States. As brokers and exporters Robertson-Cole have achieved an envi- able reputation with commercial inter- ests in every part of the world, and in the last few years have played an im- portant part in developing the foreign film market for American product. Firm's Initial Film The initial film in the domestic field was Martin Johnson's "Cannibals of the South Seas," and since its release on December 15, 1918, it has been played in almost every theatre in this country and in South America, Great Britain, and Continental Europe. It has been one of the success- ful offerings of the past few years. This big offering blazed the way for the series of pictures which followed with the result that today Robertson-Cole pictures are well received in the leading theatres of the country. Fifty-two feature pictures, one every week, have been published during the year and without exception they have met with the approval of exhibitors and the public. In addition to the feature pictures there were eight big specials, seventeen Strand Comedies issued at the rate of one a week, VIVIAN BROWN Much talked of young nirl of Brooklyn, N. V., who was one of the winners of the "Motion Picture Classic" Magazine beauty contest. She arrived in Los Angeles this week and will be seen In Universal pictures. and a second section of the Johnson pic- tures issued under the title of "Captured by Cannibals." Specials Prove Popular Leading the specials were tne Brentwood productions, "The Turn in the Road," "Bet- ter Times," "The Other Half," and "Poor Relations." In a list of ten best pictures of the year "The Turn in the Road" was given second place. The Maurice Tour- neur production, "The Broken Butterfly," published a few weeks ago as a special, is one of the big pictures of the year, accord- ing to early comments. Among the other specials are "Man's Desire" with Lewis Stone, and "What Every Woman Wants." In the course of the year Sessue Haya- kawa has steadily advanced in popularity until today his pictures are featured in more than five thousand theatres in the United States. Bessie Barriscale has scored repeatedly in her feature pictures. H. B. Warner, who joinea the Robertson- Cole forces last summer, has also steadily increased in popularity although he was welcomed to the screen by a great host of admirers of his work on the speaking stage. Exchange System Installed The success of the stars and the special pictures was of course reflected in the busi- ness organization, and two months ago Robertson-Cole opened twenty-six branch offices in the United States and inaugu- rated their own system of exchanges. This brought into play the final touch in the basic idea governing the Robertson-Cole organization from its inception, the idea that complete success is dependent upon a thorough good will existing between the producing, distributing, and exhibiting ele- ments in the motion picture industry. Immediately after the opening of the Robertson-Cole exchanges came a series of announcements which gave an indication of the extent to which the company pro- posed to go. Edith Storey was first an- nounced under contract for a series of Haworth pictures, and soon after Lew Cody was added to the list of new stars. Mae Marsh was next signed up for a series of pictures to be made by L. J. Gasnier. Popular Comedian Signed Sessue Hayakawa and Bessie Barriscale in the new Robertson-Cole Superior Pic- tures will be featured in the coming year. "Chic" Sale, recognized as one of the popular comedians in vaudeville for his pe- culiar character portrayals was the next to come under the Robertson-Cole banner. He will be featured in a series of big special productions in the coming year. The last important announcement to come from the company was the purchase of the famous stage play, "Grumpy." It will be pro- duced as one of the large special pictures in 1920. In addition to these, Supreme Comedies were inaugurated a month ago. With Molly Malone, Harry Depp, Gertrude Selby, and James Liddy playing the leads these comedies have achieved considerable popularity. A series of Adventure Scenics is embraced in the short subject schedule. An important element of strength in the ROBERT WARWICK In "An Adventure of Hearts." a Paramount- Artcraft picture, adopted from "Captain Dieppe," by Anthony Hope and directed by Jaines Cruse. short subject schedule is the new series of Martin Johnson pictures, "On the Border- land of Civilization." They are ten one- reel records of strange races and strange places in the South Seas. Other important announcements of the plans of Robertson-Cole for the coming year have been promised, and the indica- tions are that the expansion which has marked the past year will be exceeded in the months to come. Noted Serial Star Signs Contract to Appear for Pathe Juanita Hansen, well known film star, has signed a contract to appear in Pathe serials, according to an announcement this week from Paul Brunet, vice-presi- dent and general manager of Pathe Ex- change, Inc. Miss Hansen, who is noted as a beauty, has a wide following for her work on the screen. Her picture career has been with prominent producers and in every form of picture, features, serials and com- edies. She is at present appearing in the Selig serial, "The Lost City," and one of her recent successes was in support of Bert Lytell in "Lombardi, Ltd." Among Miss Hansen's best known pictures are "A Royal Rogue," Fine Arts; "The Secret of the Submarine," American; "Whose Baby?" Keystone; "The Finishing Touch," and "The Broad- way Love," Universal; "The Mating of Marcella," Ince-Paramount; "The Risky Road," "The Rough Lover" and "The Brass Bullet," Universal. The name bf Miss Hansen's Pathe serial has not yet been announced. Branch Manager Ends Trip James McCormick, manager of Select's Washington, D. C, branch, just com- pleted a ten-day trip through the towns and cities of Virginia and North Caro- lina, reaching as far south as Wilming- ton. Mr. McCormick visited twenty- eight towns — some of them with half a dozen motion picture houses. 60 EXHIBITORS HERALD Reports from Goldwyn Exchanges Show Success of Salesmen's Day Concentrated Drive in All Parts of Country Bring Big Results— Many Salesmen Make Excep- tionally Strong Showing Although the returns are not yet complete, enough reports have been re- ceived at the home office of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation from the branch exchanges to indicate the success of Salesmen's Day, recently designated by that organization for a concentrated drive by the Goldwyn salesmen in all parts of the country. Special efforts were made to introduce "Goldwyn Weeks" in theatres that heretofore have adhered to the policy of one and two- day showings. In a number of instances, consecutive Goldwyn bookings covering two, and in some cases, three full weeks were secured. The first report received was a wire from Ben Reingold of the St. Louis branch. It reads: "Succeeded in book- ing 'J'nx' at tne American Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind., for a seven-day run at a record price. Also secured twenty- one playing dates for Goldwyn Pictures at Strand theatre, Evansville, Ind., for month of December." Walter F. Hayner Active Walter F. Hayner, who covers the state of Maryland, cut loose in Feder- alsburg and Baltimore, closing ten sep- arate contracts in the day, for a total of one hundred and fifty pictures. A. J. Davis, who handles the Virginia ter- ritory, signed the Globe theatre, Rich- mond for ten star series pictures on the open booking plan for third run at ex- cellent prices. This contract served to sharpen his appetite for business, and he jumped to Petersburg where he signed the Virginia theatre for fifteen of last year's pictures and fifty-two issues of the Goldwyn-Bray Pictograph. Julius Barris, one of the live wires nt the Kansas City office, visited Manager Wilhout of the Landes theatre, Spring- field, Mo., and attached his name to a contract for the entire third year out- put. This is particularly gratifying as heretofore Goldwyn was not repre- sented in Springfield. Not to be outdone by his co-worker in the Kansas City branch, W. C. Answell signed up the Royal theatre, Emporia, Kansas for Goldwyn's entire third year series. Successful in Oklahoma G. W. Burnham, operating in Okla- homa, placed three of last year's pic- tures in the Majestic theatre at Tulsa; then journeyed to Sapulpa and sold Rex Beach and Geraldine Farrar productions at tip-top prices. Harry A. Somerfield of Cincinnati claims to have broken all speed records by closing three con- tracts in as many hours. W. P. (Pat) Stevenson learned that admission price cutting was in progress at Miami and on Salesmen's Day, he rounded up three belligerent exhibitors, entertained them at luncheon, and dur- ing the meal spread the propaganda of good business judgment and ethics. As a result, he not only settled the admis- sion price question, but came away with two separate sets of contracts from which to choose. Seth D. Perkins. Cal- ifornia representative, brought in a large- contract from a town of 15,000, which included the third year series and the Goldwyn-Bray Pictographs. The following wire has been received from Salt Lake City: "King Solomon closed for entire output Empress thea- tre, Missoula, Montana. Secured book- ings on same, twenty-eight consecutive days, December 9, to January 5, inclus- ive." The Detroit team, Messrs. Korn- heiser, Moss and Smith brought in six contracts from as many theatres scat- tered over the state of Michigan. Show Speed in South Although handicapped by the illness of Paul Desbon, the New Orleans office was heard from. Milton Dureau filed contracts from the Columbia and Gaiety theatres, New Orleans, and Resident Manager Arthur Dickinson completed arrangements for the showing of Gold- wyn's third year product in the houses controlled by Sobel, Richards and Shear Enterprises. S. C. Martenstein cut loose in San Francisco, and, according to advices, received, closed ten contracts in that city and Oakland. A wire from Seattle reads: "With ref- erence to Salesmen's Day, please be ad- vised that on that day, H. James Bos- well sent in contracts aggregating four hundred pictures. Also be advised that F. A. Bernado turned in contracts cov- ering five towns. When we say con- tracts, we mean an entire year's output." Fay Films Completes First of Its Comedies Frank S. Mattison, general manager of the Fay Films Company, a new produc- ing company recently incorporated by Rupert F. Fry and several Milwaukee business men, announces the completion of their first Harry Cane Comedy. Harry Cane is said to be the "Hurri- cane of Comedy" and is said to live up to this title in the first picture. Cane does many novel stunts, including hang- ing under a flying aeroplane and falling down a factory chimney. Other actors in the supporting company are Henry Warner, Charles Terris and J. Marcus Keyes. There is to be a series of twenty-six single reel comedies and they will be sold on the states right plan. The per- manent home of the company will be in Jacksonville, Fla. Writer Joins Selznick'Co. Katherine Reed has arrived at Los An- geles as a special writer for the Myron Selznick Company. She adapted Elaine Hammerstein's first Selznick feature from a one act playlet by S. F. Kaufman, and she is the author of the Selznick story now going into production at the Brunton studio. Miss Reed was for- merly on the Vitagraph writing staff in the east, and adapted the majority of the O. Henry stories produced there. 61 Back Jones (at top) {giving an illustration of the daring horsemanship which is to feature his series of Fox produetions; a scene (centre) from his latest feature. "The Sqnare Shooter"; Clara Miller and Frances Terry (at bottom), two puncher- ettes, who have been engaged to sup- port the star. Woman Boxer is Aiding Paramount Health Film Miss Vera Roehm, physical culturist, who has boxed more than 900 rounds with the former world's champion pugi- list, James J. Corbett, is the chief orig- inator and director and one of the lead- ing exponents of "Poise, Grace and Beauty," a series of health and physical culture pictures shortly to be produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation for the Paramount Magazine. The first will be December 28. EXHIBITORS HERALD IjWtMHUiipiUIIIIUIUMIIUIH I UNIVERSALE SURVEY COMPLETED [ E. H. Goldstein, General Sales Manager, Back In East After Swing Around Country — Finds Exhibitors Are Improving Their Showmanship ;.-mi:i: ;, n , i::;; 1 1 u i; :, : . ; i .: j ::. ijuiUdUUuittUMUWitutii'iHiiJiiiiuniinN^itilliaili Niiiuiiillliiliu I niiii 1:11:1 1 Mill 1 1 ill [i : : ji: : :i ; i : : I., ; , i ::i : , i.:: : 1 1 .:. ;i i . i;i 1 1 I n: : :i ! 1 11:1 1 1 1 , l: . i i:::n i!i:[rn7= That the American exhibitor of mo- tion pictures is becoming a showman of original ideas and that he compares equally with the showmen of stage at- tractions is the statement made by E. H. Goldstein, Universal's general salesman- ager, after he returned last week from a two months' tour of the United States. Mr. Goldstein visited practically every Universal exchange west of the Missis- sippi river and some east of it. His trip was made to determine the wants of the exhibitor for the coming year, not only in the line of pictures, but his wants as they relate to posters, lobby displays and press matter. The outstanding fea- E. H. GOLDSTEIN General sales manager of Universal, who has just completed a survey of condi- tions throughout the country. ture of his trip, according to Mr. Gold- stein, was that the exhibitor is beginning to think for himself and to make known the type of pictures he prefers. Exhibitors Seek New Films "1 found many exhibitors," Mr. Gold- stein said, "who told me they were sick and tired of the stock picture, with a stock theme and above all the stock ending — in other words, the fade-out with the kissing couple. They want new types, real honest-to-goodness drama and high-class comedies." The fall and winter program made for the exhibitor by Universal has a larger variety of subjects and a higher class of good features than any other on the market today, is the belief of Mr. Gold- stein. Exhibitors told him, he states, that Universal had improved its quality to a larger and more consistent degree than any other one producing company. "I was really surprised," he said, "to find that the Universal productions had gone so far in advance. I had not thought it possible for any company to get out such a well-rounded program that meets with the approval of the ex- hibitors as Universal has done. It was indeed pleasing to meet an exhibitor and have him congratulate the company I represented." Mr. Goldstein took with him a print of "Blind Husbands," the Universal- Jewel production by Eric Von Stroheim. Mr. Goldstein while on this two months' trip was instrumental in the closing of bookings for "Blind Husbands" in the "America" at Denver, the "Ogden" at Salt Lake City, and the Frisco theatre, and the "Strand." Besides those the en- tire circuit of Jensen and Von Herberg booked the production for their theatres in Portland, Seattle, Butte and Tacoma. Short Features Gaining The shorter features produced by Uni- versal, such as "The New Screen Maga- zine" and "Lyons-Moran" comedies, he says, are gaining rapidly in popularity. Mr. Goldstein pointed out the fact that the "Screen Magazine" bookings had in- creased 22 per cent within the last ten weeks. The comedies, especially the Joe Martin ones, are being featured in many leading houses he stated. "I am convinced," Mr. Goldstein said, "that the exhibitor of today wants a variety of productions and a consistent showing of pictures that will make his income a steady one. The day of good- one-week and poor-the-next is past is the belief of the exhibitor and the pro- ducer who keeps up his standard will win out. I need no better proof of the quality of Universal productions than to tell all exhibitors to ask the exhibitor who books Universal productions." Robertson-Cole Sell Canada Comedy Rights Robertson-Cole announces that the Exhibitors Distributing Corporation Limited of Toronto, Montreal, St. John, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver will exploit Supreme Comedies within the Dominion of Canada. After the exhib- itors in the United States showed their favor for those ever laugh producing productions, exhibitors throughout Can- ada followed suit and the demand was so great that Robertson-Cole concluded the contract for a Canadian agency to handle these comedies in Canada. The Canadian firm is spending consid- erable money in exploiting the worth of the Supreme Comedies. Advertising both in the newspapers and trade maga- zines and a well backed publicity cam- paign has been planned for the Canadian tour of the Supreme Comedies. South and Southwest Abound in Prosperity Pathe Official Says With the pockets of every farmer, merchant, and tradesman in the South and Southwest literally bulging with money, and every bank almost begging their patrons to borrow from them, those sections of the country have gone amuse- ment mad. This is the report brought back by Elmer R. Pearson, Feature Sales Man- ager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., who has just returned from a four weeks' trip which brought him to Washington, Pitts- burg, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Dallas, New Orleans, and Atlanta'. "Not in my many years experience in the sales departments of several motion picture organizations," said Mr. Pearson, "have I found conditions so generally roseate for exhibitors of screen dramas. The same thing is true in virtually every city visited. Particularly in the South, and the Southwest, are exhibitors enjoy- ing an unprecedented era of prosperity." Star Returns to Stage Having completed her first two Selz- nick pictures, "A Regular Girl" and "The Imp," Elsie Janis is now in the midst of her winter offensive on the legitimate stage. Mrs. Sidney Drew to Resume Film Work Speculation as to whether Mrs. Sidney Drew would resume making of pictures following her husband's death, was put at rest this week with an announcement from the Pathe Company that she would soon appear in a new series of two-reel comedies. Her work will be based on Julian Street's "After Thirty" and John Cum- berland, known for his excellent work in many stage plays, has been signed by MRS. SIDNEY DREW Who will personally direct and produce a series of domestic comedies at her stu- dios, 361-363 West 125th street, during the coining; year. Mrs. Drew for the part of Shelley in the new series. Work has already been be- gun in the studio in 125th street. "Though I have been out of pictures for a few months," said Mrs. Drew, "I have no intention of remaining off the screen permanently. My new series will be based on Julian Street's 'After Thirty' which I recently obtained through my broker, Julia Tutwiler. The story is the sort of thing Mr. Drew and I did before his death, the characters being similar in many respects to Polly and Henry." 62 EXHIBITORS HERALD "MORE DEADLY THAN THE MALE" Rudyard Kipling's famous poem has been drawn upon to furnish an appropriate title for Ethel Clayton's latest starring vehicle, a Paramount-Artcraft picture. "Eyes of Youth" Chicago Opening Sets New Record at Playhouse Harry Reichenbach Directs Advertising Campaign of Unusual Proportions — Uses Large Displays in the Leading Newspapers One of the most remarkable demonstra- tions of the susceptibility of the public to bigger and better motion picture produc- tions was demonstrated at the Playhouse, Chicago, where Clara Kimball Young in "Eyes of Youth" played the first of a four weeks' engagement. Despite severe wind storms along Mich- igan Avenue, the boulevard fronting the lake, and in spite of rain and flurries of snow, "Eyes of Youth" attracted two hun- dred and ninety more paid admissions to the house than had ever been attracted before, and this also in the face of ad- vanced prices of admission. Reichenbach Directs Drive Manager Smith and Director Spencer, fol- lowing the third day which was the most inclement of the week, announced that "Eyes of Youth" would be kept on for at least a month and that it would be re- tained if the final week's business justified. An unusual campaign of advertising was conducted by the Playhouse under the di- rection of Harry Reichenbach of Equity Pictures. A consistent policy of large display ad- vertisements, alternating in the larger cir- culation dailies, were used. Four column twelve inch ads, first in the Examiner, then the American, and then the Evening Post and Journal were used, and showing the excellent spirit of co-operation on the part of the Herald-Examiner and American of the Hearst chain and the Evening Post, each day, for fourteen days these three papers ran news stories on the forthcom- ing engagement and on the day following the opening ran full column reviews with layouts of photos. Anticipates Mae Tinee The policy of the Chicago Tribune of permitting its reviewer, Mae Tinee, to write her reviews in a facetious vein, and in a light, humorous manner, was antici- pated by Reichenbach who sent a mailing list of five thousand club women and men, stating that ''Eyes of Youth" was not be- ing advertised extensively in the Tribune because of the Tribune policy of taking films too lightly. A huge banner stretcned across State Street at the corner of Madison, the busi- est section of the shopping district, attract- ed considerable attention, as did a display advertisement thrown on the side of the City Hall by means of a steriopticon ma- chine erected in an office opposite. Chicago has not responded to a film pro- duction in any better fashion, in recent history and the booking on "Eyes of Youth" already total seventy thousand dollars in Illinois alone. Booked Big Circuits Asher Brothers, Lubliner and Trintz, Jones, Linick and Shaeffer, Balaban and Katz, Cooper and Wallace and all other circuits have already signed for larger runs than is their wont, while independent houses are stretching their engagements from one to two days more than usual. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Newark, New Jersey and Cleveland, Ohio, announce spectacular results from first run of the first Equity picture while Boston opens an indefinite engagement December 10 at dollar prices. Harry Reichenbach, general exploitation director for Equity, and Miss Young will spend the next two weeks in Boston and Louisville and later take charge of the first runs at Detroit, Kansas City and St. Louis. Vermont House Sold ST. ALBANS, VT.— F. W. Mitchell and G. H. Almon of Montpelier have bought the controlling interest in the Playhouse, Inc., of Montpelier, and have taken possession. They will make ex- tensive improvements. 63 \ "Male and Female" Sets Rivoli Theatre Record A total of 54,665 paid admissions is the record established by Cecil B. De- Mille's "Male and Female" during its engagement at the Rivoli theatre, New York. This, according to the Rivoli management, breaks all previous week's record by nearly ten thousand, and in- volves a new Sunday record of 9,172, a new week-day record of 7,354, estab- lished Monday, and a new evening's rec- ord, set up Thanksgiving night. No less sensational than the triumph scored in New York is the record-break- ing success of "Male and Female" in first-run theatres in other cities through- out the country, according to Paramount. "The Sultan of Jazz" To Be Cuckoo Comedy Following the publication of "The Shimmy Gym," the next in the series of the Cuckoo Comedies to be offered by United Picture Theatres of America will be "The Sultan of Jazz." In this two-reeler, Bobby Burns is said to have an unusually humorous role, playing the part of a Sultan of color who presides over a harem of Cuckoo beauties. Jobyna Ralston plays opposite Burns and will display some excep- tionally startling costumes. i "Let's Go" Slogan Adopted by Select | 1 "Let's Go!" | This simple expression — used | | unconsciously by every man, wo- | 1 man and child at various intervals | 1 during the rounds of their daily | 1 activities — has been capitalized by | | Selznick Pictures Corporation as | | an exhibitor-slogan for the exploi- | | tation of Selznick and Select Pic- | | tures. | "Let's Go!" is not original as slo- | | gans go, but it is original — and dis- 1 | tinctive — so far as motion picture | | advertising is concerned. ^Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll EXHIBITORS HE R A L D Metro's Second Round of "Fewer And Better" Pictures Completed Camera Work Completed on Four of Five Specials And Other One Nearly Done; Will be Assembled at Once Camera work on four of the five Screen Classics, Inc., special productions that com- prise the second round of Metro's "fewer and better" pictures, has been completed under the supervision of Maxwell Karger, director general, at the Metro studios in Hollywood, Calif. The fifth, "The Right of Way," starring Bert Lytell, will be fin- ished last, about a week behind the other four, which had the advantage of a week's start. Ten Weeks Are Required Ten weeks of careful work was devoted to the filming of each of the productions. The first completed was "The Best of Luck," A. S. Le Vino's adaptation of the Drury Lane melodrama by Cecil Raleigh, Henry Hamilton and Arthur Collins, with an all-star cast. Next was "Should a Woman Tell?" by Finis Fox, featuring Alice Lake and an all-star ensemble. Fin- ishing on the same day were "The Willow Tree," the Cohan and Harris stage play by J. H. Benrimo and Harrison Rhodes, starring Viola Dana, and "The Walk-Offs," the Morosco stage hit by Frederic and Fanny Hatton, with May Allison in the stellar role. All five of these specials were in the midst of production while Richard A. Row- land, Metro president, was visiting the studios on the west coast. He examined the camera results on all five in the studio projection room and was well pleased with the work of stars, directors and scenario writers. Jack Holt, Kathryn Adams, Lilie Leslie and Fred Malatesta have the leading roles and are featured in "The Best of Luck." Ray C. Smallwood directed the production and Harold Wenstrom photographed it. The photoplay is a thriller of the sort that made Drury Lane famous the world over as the home of exciting melodramas. The players performed many hazardous stunts in the course of photographing the pro- duction, Miss Adams essaying several air- plane flights and riding a motorcycle at a dizzy pace at night under the glare of arclights. Alice Lake's First Vehicle "Should a Woman Tell ?" is Alice Lake's first vehicle as a featured player under her five-year contract with Metro. Prominent in the notable cast surrounding her are Jack Mulhall and Frank Currier. John E. Ince directed the production and Sol Polito photographed it. Miss Lake is a fisherman's daughter in the first part of the story, but becomes a society belle and has a tragic love affair. Viola Dana's new Screen Classics, Inc., production, "The Willow Tree," scenario- ized by June Mathis, tells a modern story based on an ancient legend of Japan. The action occurs in Nippon. Many beautiful settings were constructed under the techni- cal direction of M. P. Staulcup to make the picture typical of "the land of the ris- ing sun." Pell Trenton is the young English hero; Edward Connelly plays the father, the old Japanese image-maker ; and "Jack" Yutaka Abbe has an important role. Henry Otto directed "The Willow Tree" and John Ar- nold did the photographing. "Walk-offs" Society Satire Miss Allison in "The Walk-Offs" was directed by Herbert Blache, with Arthur Martinelli in charge of the camera. In this satire on modern society Miss Allison wear; a number of stunning gowns. Prom- inent in the supporting cast are Emory Johnson, Joseph Kilgour, Darrell Foss, Kathleen Kerrigan and Claire Du Brey. June Mathis scenarioized "The Right of Way," Bert Lytell's starring vehicle, from Sir Gilbert Parker's novel of the Canadian north woods. The director is Jack Dillon and Robert B. Kurrle, the camera man. Leatrice Joy, Carmen Phillips and Virginia Caldwell are prominent in the feminine portion of the supporting cast, while strong male roles are in the hands of Frank Currier, T. H. Gibson-Gowland, Henry Harmon, Antrim Short and Graham Pettie. Myron Selznick Buys "The Woman God Sent" Sophie Irene Loeb, syndicate writer, recently completed a scenario, "The Woman God Sent," which has been pur- chased by Myron Selznick, and is slated for early production at the Eastern Selznick studios, under the direction of Larry Trimble. Miss Loeb is the author of numerous novels, short stories and articles. "A story with a heart and soul" is the way Miss Loeb describes "The Woman God Sent." "The Brat" Sets New Day-and-Date Record Nazimova, in "The Brat," by showing at six of Philadelphia's leading motion picture theatres at the same time, r^oke all records for day and date showing in the Quaker City, according to word re- ceived by Metro Pictures Corporation at its home offices in the Longacre Building, from Robert Lynch, manager of the Metro Film Exchange at 1321 Vine Street, Philadelphia. Four of the theatres played the Nazimova produc- tion six days and the other two for three days. "Beloved Cheater" Song "That Beloved Cheater of Mine," a popular song hit being distributed by Gilbert & Friedland, is one of a series of compliments paid to Robertson-Cole's special production, "The Beloved Cheat- er," starring Lew Cody. Giving Away a Director s Secret HERE'S a simple formula for "shooting" a closeup in a moving automobile, as supplied by Ruth Roland, star of the new Pathe serial, "The Adventures of Ruth." Splice your camera to a platform built in front of the machine and plant beside it a property man with a hip reflector to keep th° sunlight in your face. Drape your director on the running board, out of the camera line, "give 'er the gas" and "shoot." EXHIBITORS HERALD Warner Brothers Confident Selig Serial Will Create Big Sensation If it is gigantic thrills and sensation that the public has been waiting for, Warner Brothers, in publishing "The Lost City," a fifteen-episode serial, are confident that that hunger is soon to be satisfied. The story is laid in the African jungles and desert lands and not only employs the strange uncivilized people of this dark continent but nearly all of the fero- cious animals which inhabit that coun- try. Lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, alligators, zebras, giraffes, gorillas, etc.; all enter the story, affording thrills and excitement. Produced by Selig The serial, which is near completion, is being produced for the Warner Bros, by William N. Selig, who, it is declared, has been authorized to allow no expendi- ture to stand in the way of producing a serial that will stand out as the biggest box office attraction up to the present time. The first eight episodes, which have arrived from California, were screened at a private showing. A few years ago it would have been impossible to obtain players who would take the chances they were compelled to take in this pic- ture it is claimed. Miss Juanita Hansen and George Chesebro, who play the leading roles of the story, and the entire company are said to have taken long chances. Star Was in Danger In one scene Juanita Hansen, caught in a cave, is about to be attacked by a leopard, who springs from a high rock straight at the cowering girl. It fell to George Chesbro to rescue her, rushing in at the nick of time and hurling a lasso that was intended to catch the ani- mal before he could actually make the spring. Instead, however, the rope en- circled the animal's neck as it was in mid-air and the beast was brought to the ground at the very feet of the little star, managing to reach her arm and shoulder long enough for one deep laceration before she could scramble out of the way. Molly Malone and Paul Willis Join Robertson-Cole Co. Following the announcement that Robertson-Cole Supreme Comedies were being booked heavily in all parts of the country, officials of that company, an- nounce this week that Molly Malone and Paul Willis have been added to the list of comedy stars. The acquisition of these two players is in support of the claim that the Supreme Comedies "would be the best in the land." The Southern California Producing Company which turns out these comedies for Robertson-Cole is leaving nothing un- done to make these short subjects the most popular in screenland. Molly Malone is well known to the screen world. This petite comedienne was formerly leading lady for Fatty Arbuckle and so pronounced has been her art that Robertson-Cole decided to star her in Supreme Comedies. Miss Malone also won the California Beauty Contest and the latest tribute to her popularity and looks is the publication of a song hit bearing her name while a beautiful new portrait adorns the music cover. Paul Willis who has made good in the heavier side of screen dramatics be- lieves he is better fitted for the comedy and has now become a full fledged fun producer. This rising young star has played juvenile leads with the best stars in the country and Robertson-Cole be- lieve that Supreme Comedies will be greatly strengthened by his presence. Robertson-Cole as yet has not decided whether to commence Miss Malone and Mr. Willis as co-stars or as individuals. Scott Sidney, director of many of the Robertson-Cole comedy successes, will be in charge of the latest acquisition to the comedy producing forces. Taylor Holmes Names His Executive Staff Taylor Holmes has completed the per- sonnel of his executive staff. With him- self as president, he is assisted by Paul Turner, the attorney, as vice-president; H. H. Bruener, treasurer; Thomas A. Persons, supervising director in charge of production, and Gus Mohme, director of sales. HOBART BOSWORTH Thomas H. Ince, star In Paramount- Art- craft Pictures, who returns to the screen in "Behind the Door," an Ince special. Talmadge Title Changed The title of "At the Barn," Constance Talmadge's third First Xational picture, from the London comedy of the same name by Anthony Wharton, has been definitely changed to "Two Weeks." "Two Weeks" will be published on Jan- uary 5th. It is directed by Sidney A. Franklin. Miss Talmadge is supported by Conway Tearle, Reginald Mason, George Fawcett and Templer Saxe. Here's Some Pet JTTAXITA HAXSEX "Who is being starred in Selig's Dollar animal serial, "The Lost City," and her favorite "kitten." Four Men Released In Film Theft Case Grand Jury Holds Men Were Trapped by Private Detective Grand jury investigation of charges against four men arrested some time ago in connection with an alleged plot to steal motion-picture films, has resulted in the vindication of one of them and the release of the other defendants un- der the Illinois entrapment act. Morris Kline Cleared Morris Kline, a clothing agent, 5344 Indiana avenue, was shown to have had no actual connection with the case. The evidence submitted showed that a pri- vate detective employed to investigate the alleged theft of numerous films in Chicago had gone to the men and in- duced them to turn over to him certain reels. Trapped by Detective The grand jurors held that the men were trapped by the detective. Kline, the evidence showed had only introduced one of the other defendants to the de- tective. The other men against whom no bills were returned were: Isadore Kahn, 1128 South Wood street; Morris Taitus, Astor Hotel, and Albert Levin- son, 2852 Diversey boulevard. Open Theatre at Virden VIRDEN, ILL. — A new motion pic- ture theatre in the Masonic Building by the owner, S. C. Herron. 65 EXHIBITORS HERALD "The Outsider" Is Purchased by Metro For Screen Classics "The Outsider," an original play by Julie Heme, is the latest addition to Metro's list of recently acquired dramas, to be picturized by Screen Classics, Inc. Negotiations for the purchase of "The Outsider" have just been completed by Metro, and it is the company's intention to utilize the Heme play as a vehicle for an all-star production, featuring Alice Lake at the head of the cast. The story of "The Outsider" has to do with a young manicurist who, after marrying the scion of a wealthy and aristocratic middle western family, goes to her husband's home to li^e. The studied efforts of his people 1o snub her and wound her feelings, thus "keeping her in her place," as they phrase it, and the young woman's ultimate triumph over false pride "and prejudice form the basis of what is described as a dramatic composition of moving power and pro- found depths. Miss Julie Heme, a daughter of the late James A. Heme, whose "Shore Acres" will also be an Alice Lake pic- ture, is an actress as well as a play- wright. Her play, "The Outsider," has been presented in a number of cities throughout the country and has been warmly received. Ebony Will Produce State Rights Films "Do the Dead Talk?" Is Title Of Film to Star French Actress "Do the Dead Talk?" is the title of a new screen production presented by the Ebony Film Corporation through ar- rangements with the author and direc- tor of the story, Jack McCollough. The story tells of one of the most mooted questions of the day — spiritual- ism, and according to the management it is handled in a very interesting and entertaining manner. It is not a sex picture, nor a story with the usual love theme. The production of the picture has been under way for the last three or four months and is scheduled for a late December or early January publi- cation. The principal roles are enacted by Willard Bert, Grant Forham, and H erminia France, a European actress of some note, who makes her first screen appearance in this production. The picture is being put out on a ter- ritorial rights basis. Novel Exploitation Idea One of the novel exploitation ideas based on the story of "The Adventures of Ruth," a forthcoming Pathe serial, is the use of a cardboard key, five inches long, bearing on the front of the announcement of the serial and on the back a blank space where the name of the theatre and the play date are to be printed. It is with thirteen mysteri- ous keys that the heroine of "The Adventures of Ruth" is shown the way to the thirteen mysterious missions on which the story is based, thereby tying up the story directly with the exploita- tion idea. A LIVE WIRE RALPH T. KETTERING ONE would not think that beneath the calm exterior and easy-going methods of Ralph T. Kettering there lurked the demon of energetic la- bor, still a recital of his exact duties re- veals him as a "hound for hard work." As general representative for Jones, Linick & Schaefer, he directs the pub- licity campaigns for six Chicago loop theatres, two film exchanges and a vaudeville booking office. Any one man who has been the right hand power of a human dynamo like Aaron J. Jones for a period of seven years deserves a "croix with palms." This Kettering has done most suc- cessfully. Jones, Linick & Schaefer al- ways do things spectacularly— at least since Kettering has been with them. It was Kettering who put over the long-to- be-remembered campaigns on "The Spoilers," "The Little American," "The Drug Terror," "How Britain Prepared," "The Crisis" and "Joan the Woman." Recently he has been the fellow who spread broadcast knowledge of "Canni- bals of the South Seas," "Broken Blos- soms. "Male and Female," "Daddy Long Legs," "The Hoodlum," "Heart o' the Hills," "Every Woman" and all the new Chaplin pictures made by First National. Watch his campaign on Chaplin's new- est, "A Day of Pleasure"! For a year he directed the Goldwyn publicity in Illi- nois and he has handled all First Na- tional stuff since its inception. And he writes vaudeville sketches and plays as a side line! He has written and produced upward of one hundred play- lets and at this time there are on the road four companies playing his plays. His most successful full-sized plays are "Which One Shall I Marry," "A Daugh- ter of the Sun," "Abraham Lincoln," "The Girl He Left Behind," "Killarney Rose," "The Marriage Question" and "Oh George, Be Gentle." He is thirty-five years old, married, has two sons and is a member of Me- dinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Knights Temnlar, Thirty Second Degree of Scottish Rite, and is a member of Chicago Lodge No. 4, B. P. O. Elks. He is also a member of the Press Club of Chicago and the National Association of Authors and Writers. 66 Sennett Completes New Comic Feature Will Publish Production in About Two Weeks— Many Animals in Film Mack Sennett has practically com- pleted his new multiple reel comedy production, which is said by those who have seen it run off in the projection room, to be one of the most novel fea- ture pictures ever made. Mqre than fifty thousand feet of film were taken in making the picture, it is said, and this is being now edited down by Mr. Sennett to four reels and a pro- logue. Has Human Interest The picture, which is primarily a com- edy of the Sennett type, is said to be different from all other laugh-making pictures, in that there is a deep human interest, as well as mirth making bur- lesque. It is a picture with a moral, as well as a comedy of the Sennett type. , All of the Sennett fun makers appear in the picture, and in addition Teddy, the "dog with the human brain," Pep- per, the cat comedian, the Sennett cows, geese, pigs and other animals. Prepare Special Publicity The Mack Sennett publicity depart- ment is preparing special publicity for the use of exhibitors in advertising the picture, the release date and distributing details, it is expected will be announced within the next two weeks. The title has not yet been decided upon, but two or three are being considered. George West Leaves On Long Sales Trip Acting as special representative of the Cropper Distributing Corporation of Chicago, George B. West is on his way to California visiting important ex- change centers on the way for the pur- pose of concluding negotiations for rights to the Billy West and Howell comedies. West has stops scheduled at Kansas City, Denver, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is probable that he will not reach the Coast before the first of the year. Sloman Directs Barriscale Edward Sloman, one of the best known directors in the film world, for many years director of Mary Miles Minter with the American Film Com- pany, and director of the B. B. Hampton successes, "The Westerners," "Desert Gold," and "The Sagebrushers," has been added to the B. B. Features staff and will direct Bessie Barriscale, in the second production of her new series for Robertson-Cole, "The Luck of Geraldine Laird," from the book by Kathleen Norris. June Mathis Goes East June Mathis, head of the Screen Classics, Inc., scenario department, is on the way from California to New York on the first vacation of any con- sequence she has had virtually since her affiliation with Metro Pictures Cor- poration, which distributes all Screen Classics, Tnc, productions. EXHIBITORS HERALD EXHIBITORS HERALD tMMBMMMMM"1" IIIIIIINIIintlllilII[|[ll!lllllll![lll!lllllll[lll!tllllllllll'|[]||[ll!ll[llll[ll|||[|^ OF PICTURES OF THE WEEK l m I j J u : n I j i : r r [ i M l i l 1 1 : : : : n 1 1 r i > 1 1 1 [ r i i 1 1 : i : ■ ' : : 1 1 : : . 1 1 ; i . r ! i ■ ■ . r i : i j i : . ; i ■ . . i : n 1 1 [ 1 1 . • . : ' 1 1 : . j r i ■ : - m : : . 1 1 1 1 j : t : . ' 1 1 1 . l 1 1 n m 1 1 . : b 1 1 1 : ^ 1 1 K i id i ! ^ i d i L 1 1 n i K l H i u n i r ! ! i . i : : i j : : 1 1 ; r r i n i ! n : r ! i j n i u 1 1 1 n i i u : I ! [ 1 1 1 ] i l N ] ' ; i n 1 1 r I ! i • b I > < i r M 1 1 i L N 1 1 : 1 1 h 1 1 l 1 1 AGAIN the motion picture theatre has been chosen in preference to the so-called legitimate play- house as the "indispensable entertainment."' The order limiting the number of stage performances during the coal crisis and permitting the motion pic- ture theatre to continue in its accustomed manner recalls similar distinctions made during the war. Such an endorsement, unspoken but genuine, should bring to exhibitors an appreciation of the im- portant part they have in the national life. The re- sult should be a more intensive effort to make the motion picture theatre more than ever deserving, more than ever the national amusement. Effort along whatever lines, intended to accomplish such an end, can be productive of but one result — better condi- tions and heightened prosperity for all in the in- dustry. "A GUN FIGHTING GENTLEMAN" (Uni- versal) resembles Western, dramas that have gone before, chiefly in plot. Harry Carey, in another "Cheyenne" Harry characterization, is his usual and generally popular self. Structurally and technically the production is up to the Universal standard. •WINGS OF THE MORNING" (Fox) should prove a substantial box office attraction. It has book history that should be a strong factor in this regard. The principal role is well suited to William Farnum, who makes the most of the opportunities offered. "THE A B C OF LOVE" (Pathe) tells a story of New York and its environs and the people who live thereabouts. Mae Murray is well cast and satis- fies completely. Elegant interiors make up the bulk of the background and the technical aspect of the composition is altogether pleasing. The picture should satisfy generally. •'SCARLET DAYS" (Paranrount-Artcraft) is a story of early California told in the Griffith manner and with a cast of Griffith players. It should please generally. Clarine Seymour, Carol Dempster, Walter Long, Richard Barthelmess, George Fawcett and Eugenie Besserer have the leading roles. "'JUBILO" (Goldwyn) will doubtless be acclaimed by the majority of fans the best Will Rogers produc- tion to date. It tells an interesting and humorous story of tramp and farm life, incidentally providing the star with a characteristic and wholly congenial role, which last is the essential item. "SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE" (Realart) is Richard Harding Davis' splendid novel splendidly picturized by Allan Dwan. It is an elaborate love and adventure story lavishly but realistically staged, swift of action, rich in dramatic power, sure of ap- peal— an altogether creditable production which should win great popular success. "LOOT" (Universal) brings to the screen the story that "made" Arthur Somers Roche when pub- lished in the Saturday Evening 'Post. Ora Carewe and Darrell Foss have the leading roles in the screen version, which should be widely popular. "THE MIRACLE OF LOVE" (Paramount- Art - craft) gives promise of unqualified success. It is a well made picture from a story by Cosmo Hamilton which has gained wide publicity through its serial publication in the Hearst newsapers. Lucy Cotton is featured at the head of a notable and.capable cast. "THE LAST OF HIS PEOPLE" (Select) pre- sents Mitchell Lewis in a production following in general style the star's past vehicles. In a typical role he delivers the usual natural characterization . The offering may be judged by its predecessors. "EVE IN EXILE" (American) has been listed for January publication and is well qualified to usher in the new year for the producing company. Char- lotte Walker is the star, well cast and capably sup- ported by well chosen players. Of a style perpetu- ally popular, it should deliver unqualified satisfaction. "A MISFIT EARL" (Goldwyn) depends for its entertainment power chiefly upon the personality of Louis Bennison, the star, whose work is the dominat- ing feature of the production. The production fol- lows comedy lines strictly and involves an English and Western American locale. "JOHN PETTICOATS" (Paramount-Artcraft) will surprise pleasantly those of the attending pub- lic who have come to the theatre to see William S. Hart wield his guns and kindred paraphernalia with the usual dexterity and aplomb. It is comedy-drama, the former predominating. A pleasant variation, well executed. 68 MrevievvsITO ^^^^^^^=^^^^^miiiiiiiiHiiiniiiuiiiiiitniiHi mmm iuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinuiiiiiiiiuniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit]ns^^^==^^^^^^^, Will Rogers in JUBILO Five-part comedy; Goldwyn. Directed by Clarence Badger. Published in December. OPINION : There is good reason to believe that popular judgment will pro- nounce "Jubilo" the best of the Will Rogers productions to date. The comedy in the play is of keener edge than that in his earlier perform- ances, though from no quarter came ad- verse criticism upon any of them. It is of the same clean, good-natured variety, based upon the same probable every-day circumstances, but it strikes home more effectively, possibly because the star is gaining that inside know- ledge of camera tricks that was not his in the beginning. As the easy-going vagabond known only as "Jubilo," and later as the ser- iously industrious farm hand, Rogers is in his element. His is the manner of the plodder. His is the wit of the slow speaker. Perhaps it is because he takes his time in delivering his points that they register so keenly. Josie Sedgwick has the opposing role and the two work together harmon- iously. Other members of the cast are of standard qualifications, the result being a unified performance of great merit. If the other Will Rogers pictures have served you well, be assured that this one will do likewise or better. SYNOPSIS: Jubilo, a tramp, asks food at the Hardy farm, is mistaken for a criminal sentenced to jail from that community, later vindicated and finally given food and employment upon the farm. He likes the food, and he likes Rose Hardy, but the employment inter- ests him less keenly. In his courtship of Rose many interesting events trans- pire, among them a severe beating from her father, which makes him realize the necessity for doing a certain amount of actual labor, but the conquest is suc- cessful nevertheless and all ends as de- sired. William S. Hart in JOHN PETTICOATS Five-part comedy-drama; Paramount- Artcraft. Directed by Lambert Hillyer. Published in December. OPINION: The national box office was in mind when "John Petticoats" was planned and produced. That same very definite institution will benefit thereby. For "John Petticoats" is essentially comedy, and Hart the comedian is cer- tain of a welcome. Hart the tragedian and Hart the dramatic actor, the Harts that the world knows, have become identified with an established style of photoplay. It is a style which permits of little variation. The best that the consciencious efforts of those concerned in the making of the Hart pictures could Will Rogers and Josie Sedgwick in a scene from "Jubilo," his current Goldwyn picture. accomplish was the changing of setting, alteration of plot sequence and rear- rangement of roles. Because the style had made of Wil- liam S. Hart one of the leading stars of the screen it was with reluctance that the necessity for change was finally realized. Because the change is a de- sirable one and will doubtless result favorably for all in any way interested in the production, it is well that it has been made. Here Hart begins the picture as a lumber jack, ending it as a noticeably domesticated and agreeably refined business man. That his business con- sists in the merchandising of ladies ware adds especial piquancy to the situation. People will like "John Petticoats." He will be a popular character'and the pic- ture will please entirely. It is to be hoped that Hart productions which fol- low will show the same good judgment. SYNOPSIS : John Haynes, lumber man, receives a letter which informs him he has inherited a business estab- lishment in New Orleans. Surprised, but pleasantly so, he goes to that city to look over his heritage. In charge he finds Rosalie Andre, whom he permits to continue the management of the store, living meanwhile with Judge Meredith and keeping his identity a secret. Caroline, the judge's grand- daughter, soon attracts Haynes' atten- tion and mutual love ripens. But Ros- alie comes to grief, at the hands of one Wayne Page, who is also a rival for the hand of Caroline, and Haynes is compelled to use force to see that Page does the wronged girl justice. This matter cared for in typical Hart style, Haynes and Caroline look forward to the realization of their own happiness. Harry Carey in A GUN FIGHTING GENTLEMAN Six-part drama; Universal. Directed by Jack Ford. Published in November. OPINION: Harry Carey is the "Gun Fighting Gentleman" in the play which takes its title from the star role and is also the most important part of the pro- duction. It is his accustomed charac- ter, "Cheyenne Harry," that entertains. The plot of the story is of familiar design. It has to do with the West- erner whose property is taken from him by crafty gentlemen who manipulate the law to suit their own ends, only to be recovered after the usual interesting adventures by the crude but purely in- tentioned son of the plains. No star is better fitted for the work to be done by the leading actor in drama of the sort than Harry Carey. J. Barney Sherry, whose polished de- meanor serves him equally well whether cast as villain or hero, contributes a valuable supporting characterization. Producers do well to number Sherry in their casts. He has saved the picture for many a star and will perform that office for many more, unless some keen visioned "scout" secures his signature to a star contract. The settings, for the most part ex- teriors, are suitable in all cases. The direction of Jack Ford, a gentleman long familiar with the star and his capa- bilities, gets full value out of the material in hand. The familiarity of the story's general outline is the one point which presents itself for serious consideration. Where drama of the type has not been exhib- ited so frequently as to have become un- desirable there should be no question of the play's pleasing power. SYNOPSIS: "Cheyenne" Harry, ranch owner, is the victim of a plot engineered by John Merritt, land speculator, which by reason of a "doctored" title to Har- ry's ranch, deprives him of his holdings. Powerless in the face of his opponent's superior knowledge of law, Harry is forced to retaliate by appropriating Merritt's pay roll. A little later he ab- ducts Merritt's daughter and holds her captive pending the settlement of the score between himself and her parent. The settlement is effected in due time, through the regeneration of Merritt, but not before Harry has won the heart of the young lady in question. William Farnum in WINGS OF THE MORNING Seven-part drama; Fox. Directed by J. Gordon Edwards. Published in December. OPINION- Louis Tracy's novel, of which "Wings of the Morning" is a pic- turization, was a best seller when it made its appearance upon the news stands a number of years ago. The newspaper book reviewers gave it their best in the way of publicity by writing wholly commendatory opinions. The result is advance preparation which 69 EXHIBITORS HERALD should work well for the exhibitor showing the picture. The story deals with an officer in the British army who accepts disgrace and discharge for the wrong done a lady by a fellow officer. His adventures follow- ing his subsequent journeyings and dur- ing the time spent upon an isolated William Farnum in one of the highly dra- matic scenes in "Wings of the Morning." (Pox.) island where he is marooned with a young lady who wins his love, make up the incident body of a seven-reel feature which holds interest throughout The demands of the story allow the star ample opportunity for the style of work in which he is most at ease and in which, apparently, he is best liked by the public. He takes advantage of the opportunities offered with characteris- tic enthusiasm. The story opens in Singapore, shifts to the island upon which the two sur- vivors of the shipwreck find refuge and ends with the rescue from an attack by pirates. Always the progress is by ac- tion. Always the continuity is steady and logical. SYNOPSIS: When Colonel Costabel of the British army discovers that his wife has been unfaithful to him and confronts her with the evidence he has obtained she accuses Captain Anstruth- ers of being the man in the case. As a consequence of his refusing to disclose the identity of the real offender An- Struther is dismissed from the army and ships upon a vessel owned by one Deane. When the ship is wrecked he is left upon an isolated island with Iris Deane. During their association here they discover their mutual affection. Then pirates attack the island and they are forced to fight for their lives. A rescue party headed by the girl's father arrives at the pyschological moment and the desired ending follows. Louis Bennison in A MISFIT EARL Five-part comedy; Goldwyn. Directed by Ira Lowry. Published in November. OPINION: The plot in which the cow- boy finds himself heir to vast estates in England or other lands afar, doffs his chaps and voyages thither to right a wrong, tarrying to love and eventually returning to his well beloved West, has done service several times in the past as "variatiins" for Western male stars. That it still has the power to entertain is due principally to the work of the star. Louis Bennison is a personality actor. It is that personality, rather than the things he does or the comic incidents of which he is the center, that wins for him the interest of the audience that is present at the unreeling of "A Misfit Earl." It is to that personality that the satisfaction the picture gives should be chiefly credited. Settings, photography, lighting, all the mechanical elements of production have been well taken care of. The hackneyed plot is the one weak point, and this is largely compensated for by the amusing incidents which mark the action throughout. The play approxi- mates the average of the Louis Benni- son productions heretofore published. SYNOPSIS: Jim Dunn, cowboy, is in- formed that he is heir to an estate in England which involves a title. Hither he goes, not because he especially de- sires the money or position which ac- ceptance will bring him, but because his grandfather, the recently deceased, has mistreated his son, Jim's father, and Jim believes he sees a way to bring about justice. In England he finds a cold re- ception and strong opposition from other relatives of the -deceased who are disappointed at the omission of their names from the will. But he finds, also, Alysse Byecroft. Amid amusing com- plications which follow the usual happy conclusion is worked out. Mitchell Lewis in THE LAST OF HIS PEOPLE Five-part drama; Select. Directed by Robert Bradbury. Published in December. OPINION: Again cast as the domi- nating figure in an emotional drama }f the North country, Mitchell Lewis makes of his current production much the same calibre of entertainment that has come to be associated with his name by reason of his last half dozen vehicles. Where these have pleased this should please also. The star is well suited to the work in hand. His is the rugged type of manhood required by the role. His carriage and mannerisms are naturally those set forth in the script. It is not necessary for the star to act. His performance is exactly in keeping with his personality. But the remainder of the cast has not been slighted to give the star promi- nence in the production. Every mem- ber has what those in the profession term "a fat part." And these are hand- led, in the majority of instances in skillful manner. The Canadian scenery which provides the background for the greater portion of the picture makes for optical beauty of the whole. Where interior settings are demanded these have been prepared with attention to detail and fitness. The play, all things considered, is of a piece with the past work of the star. SYNOPSIS: His tribe practically decimated by a plague, an Indian chief brings to the cabin of Anthony Briggs his son and daughter, with the request that they be reared as white children are reared. Saddened by the elopement of his wife with another man and the consequent loss of his daughter, Briggs gives his affection to the children left in his care. After the death of the err- ing wife, Yvonne Briggs becomes a member of a swift New York Bohemian set. As a member of a house party she goes to Baron Bonart's cabin in the North woods. Here she meets the Indian boy whom her father has reared and the romance which forms the love theme of the picture is begun. Mae Murray in THE A. B. C. OF LOVE Five-part drama; Pathe. Directed by Leonce Perret. Published in December. OPINION: The delicate type of beauty and the general style of acting that are Mae Murray's are particularly well displayed in the present produc- tion, a story of life in and about New York city. New York seems to have been set- tled upon by writers generally as the logical setting for any and all works of fiction the character of which does not absolutely demand another locale. It is pleasant, therefore, to find in this in- stance plot justification of the back- ground selection. As the wife of a successful play- wright, which position has followed rescue from poverty and ignorance and careful training by that gentleman, Mae Murray shows to good advantage. Most of the work allotted to her is light of character and altogether within her province. And when something more serious is demanded of her in the crisis she proves her claim to the title of actress by measuring up to the require- ments of plot and role. Mae Murray shows her gratitude to her benefactor in "The A B C of I.ove." by shining his shoes.. (Pathe.) 70 EXHIBITORS HERALD A scene from D. W. Griffith's "Scarlet Days," a Paramount-Artcraft Picture. A word of praise !s deserved by Leonce Perret for splendid direction and by the producing organization for optically pleasing and altogether appro- priate settings. SYNOPSIS: Kate, a daughter of the tenements, is taken into the home of Harry Bryant, playwright, trained in the things that she has been denied and brought to his intellectual level. Their marriage follows almost as a matter of course. For a time they are happy, until the leading lady of a new play which Bryant has written wins his at- tentions away from his wife. How she brings about his recognition of the wrong done and paves the way for the happy ending makes up the dramatic portion of the picture. Ora Carewe in LOOT Five-part drama; Universal. Directed by William Dowlan. Published in December. OPINION: Perhaps the best way to give an impression of the story value of "Loot" is to give brief chronicle of its purely story history. Arthur Somers Roche wrote it. It was not the first story that he had written. But it was his first "hit." It made the man. Be- fore its publication his name, when it occurred in magazines, was included in the list of contributors well down toward the bottom in type of the usual pointage. Today his name is scrawled across the front page of the magazine lucky enough to carry one of his stories or serials. There are those who call it the best crook story ever written. Only one who had read them all could make that state- ment with finality. It is safe, however, to make it with a qualifying "one of." It certainly deserves that rating. The Universal picturization, if its en- tirety may be judged by the censored Chicago version, does the story justice. A crook story, a portion of it naturally went "by the board" when the whole was passed through the Chicago munici- pal machinery. Therefore, because the original print was not available for pur- poses of review, readers guided by these columns must be asked to accept a cir- cumstantial estimate. The picture that Chicago may see is a good one. It has the little gaps and inconsistencies common to productions faring similarly. But the gist of the story is the same as in the original, and it must follow that the unmutilated print is a fine crook drama. SYNOPSIS: One Williams, in the em- ploy of F. Aarbin, prominent New York jeweler, is in the power of "the Shadow," the real name of which pow- erful criminal is Atkins. When Bremer Carlow orders a valuable necklace for his fiancee and commissions Hildreth Wade to bring it to London Williams and Atkins determine to gain possession of it. Morn Light, a musical comedy star, is depended upon to help them in their plans and promises to do so, but an opportunity presents itself whereby, by betraying her confederates, she can wreak vengeance upon, informs Wade of the plot. Atkins gains the upper hand and, passing for Wade, secures the necklace. But Morn Light has had a chance to inform the authorities of the plot and the necklace finally reaches its proper destination. A Griffith Cast in SCARLET DAYS Six-part drama; Paramount-Artcraft. Directed by D. W. Griffith. Published in December. OPINION: "It's not what the man does, but the way he does it," the com- ment of a citizen of Chicago who had paid the stipulated admission fee to see "Scarlet Days" during its run at the Rose theatre, comes very close to tell- ing the whole story for D. W. Griffith. It tells the story of "Scarlet Days," the picture, completely. Not that the story itself is an incon- sequential thing. It is not. It is an actionable, logical, believable story. Its people are real people and its motiva- tion natural at all times and interesting. It differs from the majority of the Grif- fith creations chiefly in that it deals with no vital subject and exerts no great influence for the correction of an exist- ing condition. "Scarlet Days" is just fiction. There is no great moral purpose in its telling. It is meant simply to entertain. That it does. And when Griffith's aim is to entertain, Griffith's picture is entertain- ment. Richard Barthelmess, Clarine Sey- mour, Carol Dempster and George Faw- cett have principal roles in the produc- tion. Ralph Graves, Walter Long and Eugenie Besserer also figure promi- nenly in its make-up. The locale is California in the sixties. The characters are characters that lived at that place and time, and the action involves the things that those people did. Place and people were interesting. So is the picture. SYNOPSIS: Rosy Nell, woman of the dance halls, in California during the early lawless days of that community, is wrongfully charged with the murder of one of her fellow entertainers. Be- cause her daughter, who knows nothing of her mother's station in life, is to re- turn the next day from her school in the East, Rosy Nell is granted three days of grace, the time to be spent in company with her daughter in a cabin near at hand. The three days pass hap- pily, but the manager of the dance hall has seen the daughter and determined to have her for his own. The women barricade themselves in the cabin to re- sist capture, Alvarez, a young outlaw who has considerable local prestige coming to their assistance. John Ran- dolph, who also loves the daughter, joins their side of the fight. The timely arrival of the sheriff brings about, after many complications, the happy ending. Lucy Cotton in THE MIRACLE OF LOVE Seven-part drama; Paramount-Art- craft. Directed by Robert Leonard. Published in December. OPINION : There are several good reasons why "The Miracle of Love" should leave in its wake a series of pros- perous box offices and satisfied exhib- itors. It is a business picture. In the first place, it is> a lavishly made and finely finished production. The story demanded extraordinary back- ground and careful technical equipment. These have been provided without re- gard to expense or time. The optical aspect of the composition is all that can be desired. The story, a drama of English nobility and American money, is by Cosmo Hamilton, whose specialty is precisely this field of literature. His novel by the same name, aside from its popularity on the news stands, is being published serially in the Hearst news- papers. No medium of publicity covers a wider field. When the title of the picture appears in the advertising matter of a theatre, the majority of the persons who read that advertising will at once connect it with the novel. A great many of them will decide instanter that they want to see the picture. Lucy Cotton, the featured player, lacks the drawing power that will doubtless be hers after the circulation of the attraction throughout the nation. She is a talented young lady, good to look upon and skilled in the things that a star must possess to make her screen personality impressive. She is a valu- able acquisition to the ranks of stardom. 71 EXHIBITORS HERALD Scene from the first Realart Pictures Corporation publication, "Soldiers of Fortune," an Allan Dwan production made for Mayflower Photoplays, from the famous story by Richard Harding Davis. Wyndhani Standing chief of the sup- porting cast, is widely and well enough known to draw materially on his own account. His name should be men- tioned in the advertising. • Never more at ease than in the haberdashery and manner of the English aristocrat, he is the ideal choice for the role here por- trayed. SYNOPSIS: Clive. younger brother of the Duke of Cheshire, is greatly re- lieved when his brother, the Duke, mar- ries an American girl of wealth. He then feels at liberty to pursue his con- quest of the Duchess of Harwich, a lady whose husband's brutality lias driven her to seek companionship else- where. But his plans are interfered with by the untimely death of the Duke and Duchess, which happenstance again throws upon his shoulders the responsi- bilities of the title and the estate. Con- sequently, he becomes engaged to Cornelia Kirby, American heiress, and looks forward to a life spent in fullfil- ment of duty. Then there arrives from America a young man who claims Cornelia for his own. The death of the Duke of Harwich at the psychological moment leaves the way open for Clive to marry his widow and find happiness. Allan Dwan's SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE Seven-part drama; Realart. Directed by Allan Dwan. Published in December. OPINION: Allan Dwan, producer of many pictures of many kinds, has done his best work in "Soldiers of Fortune." He has done nothing in the past that has more than suggested the ability dis- closed in this, his first Realart produc- tion. Richard Harding Davis took the first step in the making of this, a pic- ture which should make screen history, when he wrote the novei wnich bore the same name. It was a novel that "caught on." for the very good reason that it was a fine piece of writing and an ap- pealing, powerful, human narrative. Dwan must have been a Davis ad- mirer. His film version of the novel is sympathetically done and loses no es- sential part of the original story. Lavishly staged, and cut to a nicety, the film holds both the eye and the mind by its pictorial and dramatic aspects. It is continuous, swift, interesting action, well arranged as to climax and crisis, deftly planned to exert at all times the greatest possible effect. Norman Kerry, Anna Q. Nilsson, Paul- ine Starke, Melbourne MacDowell, Wil- fred Lucas and Wallace Beery are play- ers of established ability and fan stand- ing whose handling of the leading roles satisfy every demand. It is hardly necessary to dwell upon the drawing power of the title. The book is too well known to demand elaboration. Which does not mean that it will be unnecessary to advertise the engagement extensively and back up that advertising with the best presenta- tion that can be contrived. The picture should be booked for as long a run as is commensurate with local conditions. The best that can be provided in advertising and presenta- tion should be provided. The engage- ment, if the picture is the final determi- nant, will be successful. SYNOPSIS: Robert Clay, civil engi- neer, has long been in love with Alice Langham, a girl he knows only from her photograph. When he meets her he finds her all that he has dreamed and falls earnestly in love with her at first sight. Her father, a mine operator, commissions Clay to head an expedi- tion into South America to open cer- tain mine properties. Here come Alice, her father and Hope, her younger sister, and here is worked out the love t and adventure story which results in his dis- covery of Alice's true nature and his bethrothal to Hope. Charlotte Walker in EVE IN EXILE Seven-part drama; American. Directed by Burton George. Published in January. SYNOPSIS : A story very much in line with the requirements of public taste, a well produced and capably enacted production in every respect. "Eve in Exile" should leave behind it a goodly box office account of its exhibition. The story, a logical and believable narrative of human life, love, jealousy, and their attendant emotions playing prominent parts in its composition, is of a type ever popular. It is told in straightaway narrative style, unclouded by trick continuity or other structural impediment. Charlotte Walker, Wheeler Oakman, Thomas Santschi, Melbourne MacDow- ell, George Periolat and Violet Palmer are supporting players who give good account of themselves in the handling of roles well suited to their personalities and abilities. The whole is well staged, photo- graphed unusually well and comes to the screen worthy of elaborate and col- orful presentation. Publication date is announced as January. If the play is to mark the be- ginning of 1920 for the American Film Company it is a choice well made. SYNOPSIS: When financial ruin over- takes her father. Eve Ricardo is sent to live with an aunt in a small town in New England. Here she meets and falls in love with Paul Armitage, an author, who returns her affection. But John Sheen has also fallen in love with Eve and resolves to take any measures that may be necessary to win her. His sister, a Mrs. Carey, feels similarly toward Paul. The situation thus brought about gives rise to the complications which make up the body of the picture. Selznick Stars Aiding Newspaper Xmas Fund Elaine Hammerstein, Olive Thomas and Elsie Janis, Selznick stars, are among many screen celebrities who are aiding the New York American and Journal in their annual Christmas fund drive. The Selznick stars have dressed dolls which will be displayed in prominent windows on Fifth Avenue and later auc- tioned at a social event to be held in the ballroom of the Ritz. Miss Ham- merstein contributed a beautiful French doll, while Olive Thomas donated a fresh-as-a-daisy Irish colleen and Elsie Janis went over the top with a soldier- ette, a doll dressed as a motor corps driver. The New York American and Journal are giving widespread publicity to the participation of Misses Hammerstein, Thomas and Janis. First Fitzgerald Comedy Cissy Fitzgerald will appear in "Cissy's Economy" as the first of the two-reel comedy series she is making for United Picture Theatres of America. The story and comedy is much on the order of those of the late Sidney Drew. Film "The Deadlier Sex" Blanche Sweet and her company of players from the Jesse D. Hampton studios are at Trucke, Cal., filming scenes for her third picture for Pathe. It is entitled "The Deadlier Sex." 72 PRODUCER-EXHIBITOR ADVERTISING The most vital question with which the exhibitor-advertiser is presently called upon to con- cern himself has to do with the attitude which he is to adopt in regard to the matter of producer- advertising directed to the public, published in the newspapers, the exhibitor's chief medium, in behalf of the exhibitor and his theatre. Opinions upon the subject are diametrically opposed. "What's the difference? We have to pay for it anyway," mirrors one exhibitor's view. "It's great stuff," says another. "It's better advertising than I can do. And it shows that the producers are with us." Both sides advance arguments in support of their approval or disapproval. Both are em- phatic in their claims. Divided opinions means stayed progress. Some decision must be reached. United effort will follow. And producer-exhibitor ad- vertising will cease to be practiced or will develop into a permanent, powerful force for good. A Fair Example By way of crystallizing the sub- ject in hand, that a study of its as- pects may be more intelligently con- ducted, we have reproduced and present herewith two newspaper ad- vertisements which may be taken as fair examples of the sort of work producers are doing in this field. The Goldwyn advertisement, four columns wide in the original, ap- peared in a Chicago daily news- paper on December 3, in accordance with the national newspaper cam- paign plans recently announced by the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Practically a quarter page, it at- tracted wide attention. It focussed that attention upon "The Loves of Letty," Pauline Frederick's Gold- wyn production, finally imparting the information that the picture might be seen that evening at a number of Chicago theatres and list- ing the theatres. The entire copy, save for a few lines at the left of the inner box, con- cerned the picture in question. In these few lines a few interesting statements called attention to the authors who are engaged in pre- paring Goldwyn scripts, or the ac- tual productions, for publication. A Rainy Day Ad The Paramount-Artcraft "Rainy Day" advertisement follows a differ- ent general plan. The advertise- ment has appeared in various towns and cities throughout the country. the specimen presented herewith, originally seven columns in width, being taken from the Cincinnati Post. The psychology of the whole is A four-column display published in Chi- cago newspapers in behalf of Goldwyn pictures and Chicago exhibitors, a typical example of the service produc- ers are according their exhibitor cus- tomers. splendid. Rainy nights have always been represented by losses in the exhibitor's ledger. And because of the impossibility of determining in advance the advent of a rainy night there has been no practical method of preventing the loss. An advertisement that in any measure reduces the loss involved can be not said to have failed of its purpose. And the one here provided by the Famous Players-Lasky Cor- poration, in presenting a new thought to the public, in stressing the fact that the cozy theatre is a much better place to spend a rainy evening than is offered in any ordi- nary home, certainly achieves that result. A Wrong Attitude It is difficult, in the face of these conclusions, to sympathize with the manager of one of the fourteen the- atres whose notices are worked into the border of the big display who might give voice to the "What's the difference?" attitude mentioned above. No less is it beyond understand- ing that a man whose theatre is aided by the inclusion of its name in the Goldwyn advertisement should echo that opinion. But the purpose of this discussion is not the congratulating of these two producing corporations. The thing of paramount importance is to bring about unity of opinion in the exhibitorial bodv. 73 EXHIBITORS HERALD When you think of "bet-^. ter pictures" jyj you naturally think of the WALNUT | TONIGHT ' COLONIAL Fifth CHAS. RAY id "The Sbenff** Son" ^liis is no night to stay Iwme " What if it does raini What's that to you? The motion picture theatre is open. ALL the difference between (he sullen drjp from the "l" and the flutter of leaves in a sunny patio the difference between the monotony of a dull book and the lively creak of saddle-leather between your knees o'clock this bin* hen palm \1I the difference Mfw line and a hot ncr.i fids rustled in the soft trade- nd. Number paramount GHcrg£i m ' jHotion (pictures FAMOUS PLAYERS - LASKY CORPORVTION % and the sail-sfmded deck of'aii island schooner cream ing through the blue of the seas of the South. How far a»av? How near is the nearest of th. better theatres, with the relaxation of its soctabl chairs, its genial w armth and happy sw ing of Paramount Artcraft Pictures are there. That whv it is a bencr theatre. Your kind of people, who know life and trcasu romance, made Paramount Artcraft Pictures pos sible— and Paramount Artcraft Pictures made th, better theatre possible The Famous Players-Lasky "Rainy Day" advertisement published in behalf of local exhibitors in many American cities. This reproduction, made from the seven- column advertisement used in Cincinnati, O., shows how local exhibitors identi- fied their theatres with the enterprise. That this may be accomplished, let it be granted, for the sake of argument, that the cost of such ad- vertising is, in the final analysis, dis- tributed among the exhibitors of the nation. There is no data upon which to base such a statement, but it will serve for purposes of debate. The Expense Angle No Chicago exhibitor can afford to use four cloumns daily to adver- tise his theatre. There may be, and have been, occasions when space of such dimensions can be and have been used. But they are rare. And not more than a half dozen Chicago theatres can even contemplate such a policy. By the Goldwyn provision any theatre, big or small, that is playing the picture upon the day that the blanket advertisement is used, bene- fits by that advertisement. Let us suppose that his share of the ex- pense, were it assessed against him, would be five dollars. He could in no way spend that sum in advertis- ing to better advantage. If the contestants to the effect that the cost of such advertising is finally borne by exhibitors prove their point, it will be a point of little im- portance. Producers Well Qualified With the perfected facilities at their command, with their staffs of efficient artists and copy men, with their experience in handling big campaigns, the producers are quali- fied to advertise for the exhibitor better than he can advertise for him- self. The growing practice of conduct- ing advertising campaigns cannot logically be ascribed to any feeling other than a desire to promote har- mony between producer and exhib- itor. It is something more than "coming half way." It is extending the hand of business friendship. Such opposition as exists upon the exhibitorial side should be over- come. Exhibitors should not only accept becomingly the aid offered. They should take such measures as will tend to increase the quantity and improve the quality of the work being and to be done. There should be no feeling that the producer is encroaching upon the exhibitor's territory. The ex- hibitor's field is the producer's field. The sooner both parties join forces 74 in the cultivation of that field the more rapid will become the advance of the whole industry toward bigger and better things. A Commendable Enterprise The Paramount-Artcraft adver- tisement is commendable. The Goldwyn advertisement merits praise. And no less creditable is the work of the other producing com- panies which conduct similar or kindred campaigns. There was a time when the pro- ducer, through his exchange, sold the picture to the exhibitor any way he could, then left it to the exhibitor to advertise it and profit or let it go unadvertised and operate to a loss as he saw fit. In those days was built up a feeling of bitterness that has not been altogether overcome. It should be overcome at once. It must be overcome. No man ever profited by cherishing a grudge. In this case any man so situated will profit greatly by abandoning any such antipathy that he may be nurs- ing and lending his aid to his brother exhibitors in putting producer-ex- hibitor advertising a firmly estab- lished and permanent basis. Strand "Checkers" Ad A Study in Designing The general trend of modern ad- vertising is from the complex to the simple. That which keeps pace with civilization can take no other course. That motion picture advertising, more than any other variety, shows plainly the influence of that inclination is an indication of its generally healthy condition. Among the signs that may be cata- logued to show definitely the swing of preference in this direction the conser- vation of copy ranks prominently. Sim- WILLIAM FOX presents CHECKER/ BY HtllJlYff BLOSSOM Jt GEMTGAMBLWa S3KE5-TH3IUIHC TRAIN WRECK WSTEWESoriWDOKIcOUNDniJNATOWN REVEALED wmm.pwm. Icace-realbsCihg jcere; AT ruTOW BELMONT PARK TRACK- SO LEADING ACTORi . A well-drawn and pictorially informa- tive two-column design from the Strand Theatre, Denver. plicity demands short sentences and few words. People will not read others. Most exhibitors have learned not to write them. The two-column advertisement used by the Strand theatre. Denver, during the engagement of "Checkers," the Fox pro- EXHIBITORS HERALD Make the 5 & 10 Cent Stores The Exhibitors9 Lobby Annex duction, at that playhouse, is a fine ex- ample of advertising characteristic of the times. It is small. But it is attractive. The side border and blended with it the gen- eral design insures its being seen. The working into the design of the jockey's cap and similar articles of rac- ing regalia is highly informative yet takes little space and can be absorbed readily. The process of absorption, unless pointing indications are wholly at fault, will soon supplant the act of reading to a great extent. The Strand advertisement is very small, very attractive, highly informa- tive, and essentially simple. It is rep- resentative of the latest and best in mo- tion picture advertising. Warning That is one of the few important sounding words that haven't been ex- hausted in advertising. It still draws earnest attention, wherever it is placed. A scarlet card, post card size, bearing that word in big letters above a mass of slightly smaller print, has come to attention. Above the word a perfora- tion shaped like a key hole has been made. By this means the card was attached to the curtain-buttons of auto- mobiles parked in Denver during the run of "Auction of Souls" at the Audi- torium theatre, Denver. The copy reads : "Warning. Your car should be parked at the Municipal Auditorium Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. or Sun., and you and yours should see and hear Aurora Mardiganian, the 18-year-old Armenian beauty who will appear at each perform- ance of the only picture ever shown at ten dollars a seat— 'Auction of Souls !' Admission 25c & 50c, plus war tax." We'd like to reproduce the card but it can't be done. Red is black to the camera. But the above should give a fair idea of the card. It is a splendid composition and can be used by any exhibitor for any theatre and any pic- ture. A New Old One Twenty years ago it was the custom for the male members of the 10-20-30 repertoire companies then touring the country to make the school houses of the towns in which they were playing "week stands" on Friday afternoons, passing out to the children as they came out of the buildings coupons which, with ten cents, would admit them to the Sat- urday matinee. Frank H. Butterfield, manager of the Palace theatre, Flint, Mich., is reported to have made a great success of his recent engagements of "Daddy Long Legs" and "The Hoodlum" by the use of the same method, a great deal of the gain being attributed to the word-of- mouth advertising which resulted. Technically, the stunt is an old one. As far as is known it is a new one as far as pertains to motion picture exploitation. A trial should demonstrate its effectu- alitv. The value of the five and ten cent store to the exhibitor as an advertising medium cannot be over-estimated. For some reason, unexplainable, one of those combinations of circumstances which arise naturally and must be dis- posed of by concentrated effort, this value is greatly under-estimated. The song counter of the five and ten cent store or stores nearest your theatre should serve as a permanent medium for the advertising of your attractions. You should rely upon them as you rely upon the bill board space which you pay for and cover with lithographs. The song counter is something more than a bill board. The latter attracts the eye and the eye only. It makes its appeal to no other sense. It works only during the hours of daylight, unless you have pro- vided for a lighting system of some sort, which must be considered an added ex- pense. The song counter appeals to both eye and ear. And it is absolutely certain of getting the attention of a great num- ber of people daily. They are going to the store to make some purchase. They are going to hear the music emanating from the music department. They are going to look that way. If the department is decorated with copies of the song which bears the same title as the picture you are exhibiting, if the demonstrator is making an espe- cial drive on that number, and if you have arranged with the store manager to display a card or cutout calling atten- tion to the picture and the dates of its engagement at your theatre, you have gained considerably greater publicity than would have been gained from a single twenty-four-sheet. But the five and ten cent store offers more opportunities than that of its music counter. We have reproduced and present here- with a photograph of a Woohvorth window decoration used in Chicago dur- ing the exhibition of "A Regular Girl," Elsie Janis' first Selznick production, at the Randolph theatre. It is an effective display, both as regards the theatre and the store, but it is a display which can be made up very cheaply and therefore practicable. The store manager will usually be found more than willing to cooperate in preparing a song window. His windows are always matters of serious concern to him. He must keep them attractive. He must change the display frequently. The windows must give an account of themselves in the reckoning of the week's business. The song copies which are used in the decoration are always on hand. There need be no great expenditures on the part of the manager to provide a well decorated window. By the addition of the theatre card 1^. TV. wo oxJ A Woolworth window display made up during the engagement of " A Regular Girl" at the Randolph Theatre. he has amplified his display and has added to the natural attraction power of the window the interest that always attaches to anything connected with the motion picture. Here the merit of cooperation is given substantiation. It operates, in the case of the window display, for the benefit of both theatre and store. Store man- agers are well disposed toward the prac- tice. Exhibitors who realize the value of the publicity thus to be obtained, at the most reasonable of figures, are equally active in this direction. But not all exhibitors realize the value of the enterprise. It is to be hoped, for the benefit of the industry and all concerned therein that increased activity in this line of en- deavor be stimulated and encouraged. The five and ten cent stores of the three or four important chains cover every busy thoroughfare in the nation. Where people go, they find ten-cent stores. The managements have placed them there because there is where the people are to be found. Before a site is chosen for a new store an actual count is made of the people passing the various available locations during the shopping day. The spot frequented by the most people is the spot chosen. That is the best spot for your adver- tisement. You can obtain it. It will take a little effort. But it is worth it. The exhibitors of the nation should strive, collectively and individually, to make of the five and ten cent stores their lobby annex. It is a work that will be found rich in reward. 75 EXHIBITORS HERALD Combination Border Gets Splendid Effect "A chain is as strong as its weak- est link." The exhibitor advertiser is but one link in the chain of work- men whose efforts result in the act- ual appearance of his advertisements in the newspaper. No matter how capable he is, no matter how well he plans his lay- outs and writes his copy, his work goes for nought if an incompetent or ill disposed workman handles his composition after it leaves his hands. Too much attention cannot be paid to the matter of maintaining cordial and sympathetic relations with the men in question. We are reproducing herewith an ad- vertisement used by the Stone theatre, Binghamton. N. Y., during the engage- ment at that playhouse of "The Woman Thou Gavest Me," the Paramount-Art- craft picturization of Hall Caine's novel of the same name. The original meas- ured seven columns in width. The re- production gives a fair idea of its orig- inal appearance. Especial attention is directed to the ornate and attractive border. It may be seen at once that the design is not hand drawn. It is likewise apparent that it is not a stock border. It must follow that the whole is a built-up combination of four stock borders, none of them ex- traordinary in itself, but unusual and strong as a unit. It is no little task for a printer to fashion a combination like that shown. It takes time. And time is an important element in printing establishments. It is more than likely that the printer who set up the Stone advertisement had a "warm spot" for the Stone organiza- tion or some member thereof. Are your relations with the men who make up your work such that one of them will go to such lengths to make your advertisement the best on the page? Or does your intercourse with the printer cease when you hand the adver- tising solicitor the layout, demand an early proof and call it a job? The Stone management has the right idea. Stone advertisements profit more bv the efforts of the management to maintain such relations than they could by the expenditure of any reasonable sum of money. Give the matter thought. Kinema Carries Through On Second Week of Run If there is a single important ob- jection that may be raised against the policy of longer runs it lies in the claim that too long a run results in too many people who really want to see the picture waiting until the latter part of the run to come to the theatre, thereby narrowing down the early patronage and, conceiv- ably, resulting in some of those people giving up entirely the idea of seeing it. Maybe the thought has oc- curred to you. Whether or not it has, you will be interested in the line of reasoning which refutes the contention. "Male and Female," Cecil DeMille's most recent contribution to the Para- mount-Artcraft schedule, recently con- cluded a two weeks' engagement at the Kinema theatre, Oakland, California. Report has it that the theatre was well attended throughout the run, no partic- ular portion of that run figuring more prominently than any other portion in the box office accounts. We are reproducing herewith the threes-column advertisement which ush- ered in the second week of the engage- ment. It gives the key to the situation. Had it been announced and stressed upon the first day of the engagement that the picture would be there for two weeks there is a bare possibility that many would have waited for the sec- ond week who might have otherwise attended the first. As the matter was handled, no one "THE WOMAN THOU GAVEST ME" TODAr s VAUDEVILLE Ed Allen and Dog Trixie Geo and Ray Perry Pa'frey, Hall and Brown A Paramount Artcrafl Special CHE loathed her hoabandl She loathed hit- baa.M he w,a4,,d-becao»e hi. double atandr *-* aid ol morality made hi. marriage vow e farce, Yet the «| hit •" wife"— told 10 hi-, by a vtriicfj lather-be jnd to'him by law until death ihould end her woes ■ c Then love forbidden tame to her— wedded her in her heart to an honcat man. her mate. And the world and the law tried wantonl and covered her with .heme .-, . Baeed on Hall (Sine a Cimoua novel dneo ed by Hugh Ford and played by an all-alar UK including Kalheftne MaeBonald Theodore Kobrna Milion Sill. Jack Holi and Frilit Brunette A pitiore lor every woman with • heart to love— every man who reapexta a woman Come I TODAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 2 30 7 00 9 00 STONE 2 30 7t00 9:00 5. I . _•_ ■ 1 ! Combining four stock borders, the printer who made up this seven-column spread for the Stone Theatre, Binghamton, N. Y., secured the effect of a specially drawn border. 76 knew that the picture would be any- where in Oakland the second week. Consequently every person who wished to see the play made an effort to be present at some performance during the first week. The Kinema management, then, "car- ried through" at the opening of the second week, never slacking their ad- vertising efforts, and made the second week as important as the first. This is one manner in which the problem, if you choose to consider it such, may be solved. A golden medium must be struck. You know your audi- ence. You know the limits of your drawing field. You know how many of your people will want to see a picture. You can set the length of your run ac- cordingly. Then, by judicious use of space and copy, you can distribute their attend- ance evenly throughout the engage- ment. Cecil B De miles MALE AND FEHALE KINEMA The Kinema Theatre, Oakland, Calif., opened the second week of the pic- ture's run with this effective three-col- umn display. Kent Joins Olive Thomas In her sixth Selznick Picture, which has been announced under the working title of "Glorious Youth," Olive Thomas will have as leading man Crawford Kent. Air. Kent was leading man for Alice Brady in two pictures, and has ap- peared opposite Clara Kimball Young and Marguerite Clark. Miss Thomas' new picture is by James Montgomery, the successful playwright and story writer. EXHIBITORS HERALD A double page spread, the largest amusement advertisement ever printed in San Diego, which drew big business for the engage- ment of "Back to God's Country," at the Superba theatre and received editorial praise upon the first page of the issue in which it appeared. Superba' s Double Page Spread Sets Amusement Space Record An advertising event that sets a new mark in San Diego, Calif., theatre ad- vertising, and an event of great impor- tance to the exhibitor advertisers of the nation, was the publication of the dou- ble page spread reproduced herewith in the San Diego Sun. The advertisement itself, which is re- produced in the largest size that our page will accommodate so that it may be closely studied, is notable for many reasons. The two-column box which appeared upon the front page of the paper, also reproduced here, made the first bid for the reader's attention. Well supplied with white space, highly readable and placed in the lower right hand corner of the page, it announced that an un- usual advertisement appeared on the in- ner pages of the paper. Also on the front page appeared an editorial box talk which read: "Advertising history was made in The Sun today. The largest amusement ad- vertisement that has ever appeared in a San Diego newspaper will be found in this issue. "It is a full two-page advertisement for the Superba theatre, which next week will present Nell Shipman, the popular screen favorite, in a great Western story, "Back to God's Country." "In only a few instances has an amuse- ment advertisement of this size appeared anywhere on the Pacific coast, and it was particularly fitting that The Sun, with the largest circulation of any local newspaper, should be chosen as the ex- clusive medium in which to place this history-making advertisement today." With this advance preparation, the reading population of San Diego must have turned to the pages which bore the spread with the expectation of finding something remarkable. The spread, as the reproduction will bear witness, did not disappoint. By the use of a big line calling at- tention to the fact, already stated on the front page of the paper, that this was the biggest space ever given to an amusement advertisement in the city, prestige for the whole is gained without use of copy actually pertaining to the picture represented. , 1 ■ i The Sun tonight prints the largest amusement adver- tisement ever published in any San Diego newspaper. See pages six and seven. K , I The two-column box carried on the front page of the newspaper carrying the double page spread presented here- with. Ihe copy which does apply to the picture, therefore, is fresh and powerful when it is reached. None of its poten- tial power has been expended in giving the impression of greatness. The illustrative matter embodied in the display is in itself a strong argu- ment for the reading of the copy. The sylvan scene pictured, obviously taken from the picture itself, is unique, un- usual. Naturally, the beholder wants to know what sort of picture this is that contains a situation like that pictured. The result is a reading, of the actual picture copy. This, which may be read in the repro- duction, is well calculated to bring a great percentage of those whose eye has been drawn to a reading to the thea- tre when the picture is exhibited. There is more than one commendable phase presented by the event. Its inevitable result will be the effect- ing of generally larger advertisements in the future. Not only to the motion picture advertising will this result ap- ply, but to the merchants and other ad- vertisers of San Diego as well. Editors watch their advertising col- ums closely. They make a study of the things that go to increase or decrease advertising. They are not ungrateful. Thus, indirectly, the Superba manage- ment will doubtless add to the concrete profit which always accrues from good advertising and the advantage of a place in the good graces of the editor of the newspaper favored with the spread. A newspaper editor can make or break an exhibitor. Few of them do either, for obvious reasons. But a step that will in any measure increase the editorial support given any single theatre is a step forward for the class. The exhibitor and the editor are closer 77 EXHIBITORS HERALD today than ever before. With the ad- vent of bigger advertising and concen- trated effort to make the advertising used the best that can be procured, their paths lie more closely together than ever before. The advantage of perfect harmony between the two is obvious. The Superba advertisement is a splen- did w-ork. It is big advertising. It is the kind of advertising that serves to lift the motion picture theatre in public estimation, as well as to bring patron- age to the picture advertised. There should be more advertising of like calibre. Symphony Warning Ad Based on Sound Logic Last week we called attention to the manner in which the manage- ment of the Royal theatre, El Dorado, Kans., used a stock attention figure to call the attention of the public to the fact that "The Miracle Man" was being shown upon a certain evening for the last time in the city. It was explained that the press books currently published provide little or no material suitable for this purpose and the move was com- mended. Herewith we present an- other account of a similar occur- rence, notable because it illustrates another method of gaining the same end. The Symphony theatre, Los Angeles, used the five-column advertisement here reproduced to acquaint the popula- tion of Los Angeles witn the fact that "The Miracle Man" was entering upon its third and last week at that theatre and in the city. Different methods were used. Instead of the attention figure featured in the Royal advertisement as warning the people that their last chance to see the picture was at hand, the words most heavily stressed in the copy have to do with that warning. "Not an advertise- ment— Simply a warning," is the begin- ning. Obviously, the means served the end. The design of the whole is at once artistic and powerful. It has all the elements of the successful advertise- ment, plus the beauty and charm of the well drawn picture and well designed display. Comparisons are odious, but this one is important. Los Angeles and El Dorado are de- cidedly different cities. It follows that the Royal theatre and the Symphony theatre are widely different institutions. Obviously the advertisements which serve the Royal would not serve the Symphony. The reverse is quite as true, because the expense of the Sym- phony advertisements is not commen- surate with the Royal seating capacity or drawing territory. But the problem, the issuing of a last call or warning to amusement shoppers, is the same in both cases. Both adver- tisers have done their work well. All of which goes to prove another point made last week, that "the big town stunt is the little town stunt adapted to city requirements — nothing more." Uniformity Lends Tone To Hart Advertisment Man tends toward uniformity. Habit is a worker for that condition. And habit is strong. But uniformity in advertising, in the estimation of many of the foremost writers upon that subject, is not altogether con- ducive to the best of results. The discussion that has been born of this controversy would fill many a weighty tome. And the point is still debatable. The four-column advertisement pre- pared by the Rialto theatre, Denver, Colo., for "John Petticoats," William S. Hart's latest Paramount-Artcraft pro- duction, is an argument for uniformity. The reproduction presented herewith gives a rather clear idea of the general effect that the original obtained, an effect that must have resulted in goodly re- turns from the outlay represented. Campaign book material, house copy, printers' stock, all combine to produce this four-column composition used by the Rialto theatre, Denver. The corner borders provided represent the first step taken to gain the desired appearance. They are, in addition to be- ing uniform and attention-compelling, sufficient for the ends which they serve, the purposes usually served by a border. The circle containing the title centers the attention of the reader, not upon the copy, but upon the title. It is a title which gives rise to natural desire to know more about the character that de- served such a name. The little box of type at the left and in the middle contains the detailed in- formation which the interested reader may seek. The star's name and that of the theatre are emblazoned in opposite corners in such manner that they can- not escape reading. The little trick that has been utilized to throw the name of the theatre into high relief is not without its good points. It might be used by any theatre to as good advantage. But the keynote of the whole compo- sition is uniformity. It is, as has been said before, an argument for this side of the debate. Which does not mean that it clinches the victory, although it is a document that should be admited to the evidence. Leonard at Lakewood For Hallmark Serial Benny Leonard, lightweight champion of the world, is vacationing at Lake- wood, N. J., getting in trim for fifteen episodes of a serial picture to be pro- duced and distributed by Frank G. Hall, president of Hallmark Pictures Corpora- tion. Following his victory over Soldier Bartfield, in Philadelphia, Thanksgiving day, Benny contracted a slight cold and Billy Gibson, his manager, hustled him off to Lakewood to get the cold from his system and the dramatic fever in- stilled therein. AN ADVERTI^IflENT, SHOT A "WARNING that the third- and OSiTMU LAST Mil of GEORGE LOANE TUCKEl THE MIRACLE,, starts ttiiiS1 ^Sunday at the ^roadway between 6th £ 7th \ four-column "last call" warning published by the Symphony Theatre, Los Angeles, at opening of the third week of the "Miracle Man" engagement at that playhouse. 78 EXHIBITORS HERALD NEVER A FILM LIKE THIS Ao Absolute Novelty— Unique— So DiffeVenV Special Children's" Matinee 4 p. m. Admission 15c K, OF P.THEATRE THURSDAY, NOV. 6th 16 Kinds of Animal Actors In their natural habitat play parts in "BACK. 10 GOD'S COUNTRY" Matinee2:15,Night7:10,8:30 Adults 30, Children 20c War tax paid Page strip used by the K. of P. theatre, Greensburg, Ind., in the school children's drawing and literary contest which played an important part in the success of the engagement at the theatre of "Back to God's Country." the theatre. Certainly it was no fault of Dunn or the reporter. Drawing and Literary Contest Succeeds for Indiana Theatre Greensburg may not occupy the biggest space on the map of Indiana, but it num- bers among its inhabitants an exhibitor. George H. Dunn, who, if he keeps up the pace he is now traveling, is going to make theatre men in some of the larger cities sit up and take notice. Mr. Dunn, who operates the K. of P. Theatre, has just successfully completed a novel exploitation campaign to accompany the presentation of "Back to God's Coun- try," the First National attraction featur- ing Nell Shipman, and a group of trained animals. This exploitation "stunt" — a drawing and literary contest — devised for the express purpose of appealing to the juveniles of the city, proved conclusively that an attraction that can be made to arouse the interest and curiosity of the children is almost certain to bring a tremendous adult patronage. In putting on his campaign, Mr. Dunn supplied one of the best instances on rec- ord of getting a newspaper to work hand in hand with an exhibitor in the exploita- tion of a picture. It was an excellent ex- ample of the benefits to be derived from newspaper publicity, all of which was ob- tained by Mr. Dunn for the small price of one complimentary ticket to the Circle The- atre at Indianapolis. Here is the story. At the time "Back to God's Country'" was being shown at the Circle, Mr. Floyd Brown, manager of the First National ex- change in Indianapolis, sent cards to ex- hibitors in surrounding cities and towns inviting them to view the premiere show- ing of the picture at the expense of the exchange. Dunn was tied up with considerable busi- ness at his theatre at the time he received the invitation and was unable to get away. He remembered, however, that one of the local newspaper men had remarked he was going to Indianapolis that week. He got in touch with the scribe and tendered the "comp" to him. As he did so he reminded the newspaper man that he had booked the same picture for the K. of P. Theatre at a little later date. On his return from Indianapolis, the re- porter demonstrated his gratitude for the complimentary ticket by writing a story about the picture. In the story, which was printed in the daily paper, he praised the picture to the skies and reminded the read- ers that they would soon have an oppor- tunity to view it at a local theatre. When it came time to prepare the ad- vertising for the presentation of the pic- ture at the K. of P. Theatre, and when Dunn had decided on the drawing and literary contest as the medium of exploita- tion, the plan was outlined to the reporter. "Fine!" the newspaper scribe replied. "You attend to the advertising end of it and I will take care of the contest." In the advertisements Dunn used a num- ber of cuts of animal heads. In the read- ing matter he invited all the boys and girls of school age to enter the contest, the only requirement being that they copy one of the sketches from the advertisement and write a little story about it. Prizes were offered as follows: Five tickets to the theatres for the best sketch and story. Three tickets for the second best. Two for the third. One for the fourth, fifth and sixth. The contest was conducted solely by the Greensburg Evening Times, the daily news- paper, and all sketches and stories were addressed to the "Contest Editor." The re- porter carried out his part of the agree- ment by writing a news story on the con- test every day and putting it in a good place in the paper. Soon the children in the city were draw- ing animal heads and writing stories for the contest. Parents, too, became inter- ested and began to give assistance to their children, in hope of bringing a little glory to the family name. As a result of all this Dunn was unable to accommodate the crowds on the day the picture was shown. The contest closed the day before the presentation of the picture and Dunn and the newspaper reporter stayed up nearly all night looking over the manuscripts and sketches submitted. The names of the win- ners were displayed in the theatre and in the office of the newspaper about noon the next day. Crowds for the matinee, which was given at 2:30, began forming in front of the theatre shortly after the noon hour. A special matinee was given for school chil- dren at 4 p. m., but only about half the children who came were able to get inside the theatre. At the night shows, it is said, two lines extended from the box office for a block in each direction. If there was any one in Greensburg who did not see "Back to God's Country" it was only because they were unable to get into 79 K. of P* Theatre Thursday, Nov. 6 Matinee 2:15 Night 7:10, 8:39 Children, 20c Adults, 30c. War Tux Paid An Extra SpecialjChildren's Matinee 4 P. M. Admission for Children, 15c. War Tax Paid. "Sic 'Em Wapi, Stop Them for My Sake" Never a Film Like "Back to God's Country" An Absolute Unique So Different 16 Kinds of Wild Animals A Tale of Love and Villiany Featuring Ihe Brilliant Swimming Star NELL SHIPMAN A two-column upright used during the "Back to God's Country," run at the K. of P. Theatre, Greensburg, Ind. EXHIBITORS HERALD Attraction Power Great In Liberty Composition Every now and then there comes to hand an advertisement that at- tracts and sticks in the memory until the reader who has passed on has to turn back and read every word of it. The qualities that are responsible for this sort of thing are qualities that should be studied. Because it is that kind of an advertise- ment, an advertisement that will hold its own upon any page and against what- ever competition encountered, we have reproduced herewith the two-column dis- play published by the Liberty theatre, TONIGHT AND TOMORROW ARE YOUR LAST CHANCES ALL OF Portland says this is the greatest thrill picture they have ever seen — HOUDINI in "THE GRIM GAME" and Mack Sennett's Super Comedy "SALOME VS. SHENANDOAH" I Coming Saturday 'BACK TO GOD'S COUNTRY" Simple of design, but logically propor- tioned and attractive, this two-column advertisement used by the Liberty Theatre, Portland, Ore., is an excellent model to be followed by any exhibitor who wishes to vary his style. Portland, Ore., during the engagement of "The Grim Game," the Houdini Para- mount-Artcraft production. Several months ago we prepared and offered in these columns a number of advertisements similarly designed. This was done because there seemed to be a need for something of the sort in the newspapers of the day. The tendency toward complicated compositions more involved than inspired, called for variety. Our effort was to provide that variety. Whether or not the Liberty adver- tisement was brought into being through that effort or not has nothing to do with its merit. The merit is the thing, and in this case it is great. Here, by simply throwing up a rule box, setting in the still of the plane which figured prominently in the pic- ture advertised, setting in also, near the bottom, a theatre title slug, stringing simple copy down the whole, the compo- sition was completed. The whole is artistically proportioned. Attention is caught upon sight. The reading of the whole is but a matter of a minute or less. The informative na- ture of the copy and the illustration does the rest. You'll admit the whole is good. It cannot be denied. And doubtless you will see the advisability of occasionally using a display of the sort to break up the monotony of the style which you favor. Black and White Art Feature of Garden Ad S. Barrett McCormick's Circle theatre advertisements for "The American Beauty" will be remem- bered by every reader of this de- partment. Charles R. Roediger's Colonial theatre display for a Con- stance Talmadge production, simi- lar in nature, is doubtless also fresh in mind. Both commanded atten- tion chiefly because of their artistic composition. Here's a fit companion piece, and incidentally one that resembles neither. It must follow, then, that there are more ways than one to advertise artistically. Three columns in width, rather well printed upon the newspaper stock which carried it, this display used by the Gar- den theatre, Davenport, la., achieves in Hits DavenpdTt Today GARDEN i - \ i\ _ ) An artistic black and white composition, original three columns wide, from the Garden Theatre, Davenport, Iowa. 80 black and white what tne other adver- tisements noted above achieved in grays. Its qualifications need not be discussed. To see it is to appreciate its merit. It is presented herewith that it may tell its own good points more effectively than they could be told by written words. The workmanship is of the highest order. It speaks volumes for the man who is responsible. As it stands, it ranks on a par with the above mentioned crea- tions, which rank high in the list of ad- vertisements reproduced in this depart- ment to date. It has added advantage of being easily printable. So long as the printer en- trusted with such an assignment doesn't drop an ink-pot where it shouldn't be dropped he can hardly spoil the final appearance of the whole. Simple, artistic, attractive and digni- fied, the design is one that should be copied. Florence Vidor Zain Pitta Thovus Jefferso 'The Little Intruder' Louiee Huff Johnny Hines A simply designed and altogether effect- ive composition, original three columns in width, used by the Strand Theatre, Fresno, Calif. Mats Well Employed In "Other Half" Ad It is not an uncommon occurrence to find an exhibitor who, presented with a selection of mats furnished by the exchange, will turn them over in his hand curiously and ask, "What can I do with them?" He is not altogether to blame. Some of the material provided is of a quality that gives natural cause for such a question. But some of it is good, and this should be used. Therefore, it may be well to direct the attention of any such exhibitor that may chance to be reading this discus- sion to the three-column advertisement used by the Strand theatre. Fresno, Calif., in connection with the engage- ment of "The Other Half," the Brent- wood Robertson-Cole production fea- turing ZaSu Pitts. EXHIBITORS HERALD Save for the name of the theatre, and the little group of copy in the lower left hand portion of the space, the com- position is made up almost entirely of mats. The general impression of the whole is good. It is pictorially effective. It gains attention upon the page, and holds that attention during the travels of the eye over the whole surface of the space. The copy in the lower left looks easy to read and is quickly taken in and digested. Not much work to the thing. Just a little juggling of material and a little cut- ting of corners. A good effect with little effort. As a regular diet the dish might pall. But any regular diet, of advertising, will do the same. Altogether, the composi- tion is a creditable one. This is one of the things that can be done with mats. A Real Book Henry Wilson, owner and manager of the Sherman theatre, Sullivan, Ind., is also the publisher of "The Community Movie," a house organ of magazine na- ture that deserves exhibitorial attention. The issue of November 22 contains twelve pages and cover. Of the sixteen pages thus provided, ten and one-half pages are advertsiing. Throughout the book the theatre copy is arranged very much as text matter is arranged in those national publications whose advertising pages make up the majority of their bulk. Upon the first page, neatly boxed off, appears the information that commonly adorns the mast head of the standard publications. Telephone numbers and particulars regarding advertising rules are presented in business-like manner. In place of the usual data regarding sub- scription rules is presented the state- ment that anyone who wishes to be placed upon the mailing list need but to leave his name at the box office or phone the publisher. The text of the book is well written matter pertaining to the subject in hand, the program at the Sherman. Obviously the book pays for itself. There is good reason to believe that there is a profit left after all expenses have been met. A request mailed to Mr. Wilson will doubtless bring you a copy of the pub- lication. You will be greatly interested in the sample. You may see your way clear to doing something equally satis- factory in the same line. Capellani Engages Apfel Oscar Apfel, who for several years has been director for William Fox and World Film, has been engaged by the Albert Capellani Productions, Inc., to direct Dolores Cassinelli in her next picture, "Held in Trust," by George Eribbe Turner. George Proctor who has just completed the scenario of "The Fortune Teller," for Marjorie Rambeau, is writing the continuity of "Held in Trust," which will be distributed through Pathe. Grauman's Becomes Institution Through Well Devised Program No one need be told the. identity of Sid Grauman. Everybody in the motion picture industry knows something about him. Practically everybody knows that his Million Dollar Theatre, Los Angeles, is in the proverbial "class by itself" as regards those things in which Mr. Grau- man specializes. But not everybody knows why. Sid Grauman is an advertiser extraor- dinary. The Los Angeles papers frequently carry advertisements that are more pre- tentious than Grauman's. They are fre- quently more attractive, larger in linear dimensions, more ornate of design, and sometimes superior in quality. But none of them are read by more people than are the Grauman creations in the issues in which they appear. No one has said "There's a reason" for a long time, so let it be said here. It fits. Mr. Grauman has made of his theatre something more than a playhouse. He has made it an institution. It is so con- sidered by the people of Los Angeles. Readers look for the Grauman adver- tisements just as they look for the weather forecasts. They want to know what the weather is going to be tomor- row. They want to know what is going to be the order of the evening at Grau- man's tonight. They know it will be worth while. It always is. But they want to see just what the evening's program is to be composed of. The Grauman advertising dominates the Los Angeles newspapers, despite the size or character of opposition, because he has provided himself with something to advertise today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter. A feature picture does not constitute the program at Grauman's theatre. It is one factor therein, an important one, of course, but only one after all. A glance at the accompanying repro- duction of a four-column advertisement recently published by Mr. Grauman will give a general idea of the manner in which this highly successful exhibitor makes his theatre dominate the picture advertised. "John Petticoats" is given the place of prominence. But the scheme of the whole display is such that attention must also be given to the program of the evening as it is listed in the body of the layout. Perhaps the two strongest supple- mentary factors of the evening's sched- ule, certainly the most important for our present purpose, are the "Grauman Usherettes" and the "Tour Through Graumans" listed. These are purely institutional num- bers. The editions listed in the current advertisements, in both cases, are the sixth. There have been five similar events in the past. They met with en- thusiastic receptions and requests for more of the same. And they are but two of the features that have had a 81 "FATTY" ARBUCKLE "The Hayseed" A four-column institutional advertise- ment used by Sid Grauman in behalf of his theatre as much as for the pic- ture there exhibited. part in the institutionalizing of Grau- man's theatre. The process by which this is accom- plished is very simple. People know that "John Petticoats" will sometime be shown at other Los Angeles theatres. For the sake of the picture alone there is no especial occa- sion to attend the Grauman presenta- tion. But people also know that the other features which make up the Grauman presentation will pass out of existence with the passing of the picture. And they know those features are in them- selves worth seeing. Grauman's theatre has passed the stage of "book and run." It has reached a stage of "run and book something worthy of the feature place on the pro- gram." The steps by which this stage was reached are faintly outlined above. Similar measures may be taken by any exhibitor who cares to make his theatre an institution as well as a place of amusement. The exhibitor who doesn't want to do that doesn't want to make money. There are no such men among the readers of this article. EXHIBITORS HERALD 6B CAMERAGRAPH "SHOHS US ' That's what Exhibi- tors say and we show them. We prove that the wonderfully efficient intermittent movement of Power's Cameragraph puts eighteen percent more light and picture on the Screen than any other Projector. Ask any of our distrib- utors or dealers about the intermittent move- ment or let us send you a circular which explains this exclusive feature of the CAMERAGRAPH in an interesting and practical way. NICHOLAS POWER COMPANY INCORPORATED 90 GOLD STREET NEWYORK EXHIBITORS HERALD "What the Picture Did For Me" VERDICTS ON FILMS IN LANGUAGE OF EXHIBITOR Copyright, 1919 You are especially invited to contribute regularly to this department. It is a co-operative service FOR THE BENEFIT OF EXHIBITORS. TELL US WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR YOU and read in the HERALD every week what the picture did for the other fellow, thereby getting the only positive guide to box office values. Address, "What The Picture Did For Me", EXHIBITORS HERALD. 417 S. Dearborn St.. Chicago American The Intrusion of Isabell, with Mary M. Minter. — A good comedy-drama. Star very much liked here. — \Ym. Ton- gate, Star theatre. Carlisle, Ind— Gen- eral patronage. This Hero Stuff, with William Rus- sell. Good photography and picture well liked. Weak story. — B. I. Vandyke, Royal theatre, Des Moines, la. — Down- town patronage. Brass Buttons, with William Russell. — A picture that pleased everyone. — Wm. Tongate. Star theatre. Carlisle. Ind. — General patronage. The Greatest Thing in Life, a D. W. Griffith production. Drew beyond ex- pectation. Many liked it better than Hearts of the ' World. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — Gen- eral patronage. Artcraft Wagon Tracks, with Wm. S. Hart- Drew well but a slow picture. Pleased majority. — K. J. Aglow, Strand theatre, Whitewater, Wis. — General patronage. The Knickerbocker Buckaroo, with Douglas Fairbanks. — Drew a house full. Will not pass as a special. Extra good program picture. — G. F. Rediske, Rye- gate, theatre, Ryegate , Mont. — Small town patronage. The Poppy Girl's Husband, with W. S. Hart. — Drew many new patrons on this. Fine picture with good drawing power. — P. K. Anton, Royal theatre, New Cas- tle, Ind. — General patronage. M'Liss, with Mary Pickford. — Bert Harte's sub-titles and the supporting cast went a long way toward making this one of the very best Pickford pictures pro- duced. It is fine and drew well. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence. Ky. — General patronage. Seven Keys to Baldpate, with Geo. M. Cohan. — One of the best pictures made. Advance prices and boost big, it will win. — Geo. D. Rogers, Gem theatre, Lyn- don, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. Bound in Morocco, with Douglas Fair- banks.— Not much to it and gave only fair satisfaction. — H. H. Billings, Pleas- ant Hour theatre, Pine Island, Minn. — Neighborhood patronage. How Could You, Jean? with Mary Pickford. — Brings them in and they en- joy it. The best Pickford we have had for a long time. — W. C. Cleeton. Gem theatre. Higbee, Mo. — Small town pa- tronage. Captain Kidd, Jr., with Mary Pickford. — A poor picture. — Bert Norton, Kozy theatre, Eureka, 111. — Neighborhood pa- ronage. PEARL, WHITE And Walter McGrail in the eighth episode of "The Black Secret," Pathe's current serial. The Avalanche, with Elsie Ferguson. — A dandy picture, but she will not draw patronage for me. — R. M. Reese, Sultana theatre. Williams, Ariz. — Small town patronage. First National A Virtuous Vamp, with Constance Tal- madge. — This is one of the best pictures that Constance has ever made. Packed them in for three days. You can't go wrong on the Constance Talmadge pic- tures.— Overholser theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General patronage. Bill Apperson's Boy, with Jack Pick- ford.— Very good with bad weather con- ditions.— Julius Gentz. Paris Garden theatre, Davenport, la. — Neighborhood patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Good. Will say it is a wonderful picture with a good moral. I paid out in one night and it rained the first night. — J. G. Smith, Opera House, Blanchard, la. — General patronage. A Virtuous Vamp, with Constance Tal- madge.— This is positively the best Con- stance Talmadge picture ever made. Will run Daddy Long Legs a close second. We did very big. — Strand theatre, Louis- ville, Ky. — Transient patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— Run matinee and until 1:30 a. m. and turned them away. Pickford sure draws the crowd for me. Don't be afraid to book it. It is one of her best. — Palace theatre, E. H. Winkler, St. John, Kan.— Small town patronage. A Virtuous Vamp, with Constance Tal- madge.— Great as a picture, wonderful drawing power. 100% pleased patrons. The star is in a class by herself. Our sign read S. R. O. Why say more? — R. R. Booth, Paramount theatre, Ne- braska City, Neb. — General patronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mardi- ganian. — This was a good picture and highly enjoyed by all. Good business, four days' run. — Overholser theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General patron- age. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford.— This is the best picture I ever played. Pleased large crowd. Fine busi- ness only one day. — A. J. Love, Opera House, Roanoke, 111. — Small town pat- ronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — Good picture and drew fine, but after paying extra advertising and high rental nothing left for us. — R. R. Booth, Para- mount theatre, Nebraska City, Neb. — General patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — Business big. Mary is certainly funny in this picture. Give us more like it. — Pete Smith, Avenel theatre, Bellevue, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mar} Pick- ford.— Very good picture. Did good busi- ness on rainy day. — Olympic theatre, Calmar, Iowa. — General patronage. Shoulder Arms, with Chas. Chaplin. — Absolutely the funniest comedy in the world, of its kind.— W. C. & G. W. Dan- iels, Princess theatre, Cotton Plant, Ark. — Neighborhood patronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — Book this picture. Better than Daddy Long Legs. It is a sure winner for those who like Mary. — R. L. Lusiott. Picture- land theatre, Livonia, N. Y. — Transient patronage. A Virtuous Vamp, with Constance Tal- madge.— Pleased a large business. The exhibitor's confidence will not be be- trayed by booking this picture as the pic- ture is sure to please any audience any- where.-— William Noble. Empress thea- tre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General pat- ronage. Sunnyside, with Charley Chaplin. — Fair Chaplin comedy. Not a knockout. Did better business on repeat than first show- ing.— J. B. Stine, Gem theatre, Clinton, Ind. — Mining town patronage. The Thunderbolt, with Katherine Mac- Donald. — This picture proved an agree- able surprise. Went over so big for four 83 EXHIBITORS HERALD days that we have rebooked it for three more days. Miss MacDonald is surely a beautiful and splendid actress. — Strand theatre, Louisville, Ky. — -Transient pat- ronage. The Hoodlum, with Mary Pickford. — Biggest box office receipts ever had. Broke all records, even Daddy Long Legs. — Max Heller, Strand theatre, Marshalltown, la. — General patronage. A Temperamental Wife, with Constance Talmadge. — Ran two days to mixed pa- trons to good business. This is a new star here. Everybody more than pleased. More like this will bring the crowds. You can't go wrong on First National. - — F. Paulic, Paulic theatre, Muscoda, Wis. — Neighborhood patronage. The Tunderbolt, with Katherine Mac- Donald. — Played repeat three days. Very good business. Dandy picture. — Strand theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Transient pat- ronage. Auction of Souls, with Aurora Mardi- ganian. — S. R. O. Drew heavily with the foreign element. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford. — It was so good that I want to repeat. — Ben. Brink, West Point, la. — Neighborhood patronage. The Thunderbolt, with Katherine Mac- Donald. — This is "some" picture. Ad- vertise it right and you will clean up. — J. Real Neth, Ada Meade theatre, Lex- ington, Ky. — Transient patronage. Her Kingdom of Dreams, with Anita Stewart. — This is an excellent picture which drew good patronage. — Empress theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General patronage. Bill Apperson's Boy, with Jack Pick- ford. — A good picture. — B. C. Brown, Star theatre, Yiroqua, Wis. — General patronage. The Mind the Paint Girl, with Anita Stewart. — Great picture, went over big. People liked it fine. Star never made a better picture. — R. K. Stonebrook, Wins- dor theatre, Hampton, Iowa. — General patronage. Daddy Long Legs, with Mary Pick- ford. — Had a good hous'e and 100% sat- isfaction. Did not raise my admission. — G. F. Rediske, Ryegate theatre, Ryegate, Mont. — Small town patronage. Fox Checkers, with a special cast. — This is Class A picture. Business great, weather good. — P. D. Alleman, Strand theatre, Clinton, la. — Neighborhood patronage. Checkers, with a special cast. — Great box office picture if exploited right. Pic- ture a thriller. Second day's business good on a two-day run. The fans will like it. Seven reels and it contains no padding. In your ads you might add, "Ask Dad, He Knows," as it is a well- known old stage melodrama. — Chas. H. Ryan, Garfield theatre, Chicago, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Wilderness Trail, with Tom Mix. — Not up to Mix's standard but the beau- tiful Northern scenery helps put it over. Mix certainly does draw. — Opera House, Pfeiffer Bros., Kenton, Ohio. — General patronage. This Is the Life, with George Walsh. — Star is good. He also is a good drawing raid. — Philbrick & Knoblauch, Rex thea- tre, Allen Neb. — Neighborhood patron- age. Evangeline, with Miriam Cooper. — Ex- cellent picture. Well acted.— C. H. Dicke, Dicke theatre, Downers Grove, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. Six Shooter Andy, with Tom Mix.— One of Mix's best pictures. Mix sure gets the crowd for us. — Philbrick & Knoblauch, Rex theatre, Allen, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Wolves of the Night, with WTilliam Farnum. — -We have a few patrons who do not care for William Farnum, but after they had seen this picture they came out and told me they liked the picture and his work in it. I consider it a good drama. We ran it two days. — Chas. H. Ryan, Garfield theatre, Chicago 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Soul of Bufldah, with Theda Bara. — Showed to a big house. Some liked it while several thought it not fit to be PlllllllllllilllllllllllH I ^WENTY exhibitors' j | ■* favorable comments | | upon a picture are equiv- | | alent to "U. S." upon a j | mail box. 1 That picture is "best by | | test." | You want to knoW about j | that kind of pictures. 1 Other exhibitors have tola | | you — through these j | columns. | You can best cooperate j | by sending in comments j | upon pictures that have j | won — or lost — for you. iiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiM shown. The dances overdrawn. — J. F. Johnston, Central theatre, Oberlin, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. Evangeline, with Miriam Cooper. — Ex- tra big two days. — Jean Dagle, Liberty theatre, Murphysboro, 111. — General pat- ronage. Evangeline, with Miriam Cooper. — Beautiful picture. Big business at ad- vanced prices. — Jos. C. Staak, Royal theatre, Carroll, la. — General patronage. The Splendid Sin, with Madlaine Tra- verse.— Very good. Star is very popular. — Photography excellent. — C. F. Han- cock, Lyric theatre, Stuart, Fla. — Neigh- borhood patronage. The Plunderer, with William Farnum. — Wonderful picture. Star always good. — Philbrick & Knoblauch, Rex theatre, Allen Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. The Rainbow Trail, with William Far- num.— Better business than Riders of the Purple Sage. Comments not so favor- able, however. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Rough Riding Romance, with Tom Mix. — Star popular. This is the first Mix picture at advanced price, but went over big two days. — Jean Dagle, Liberty thea- tre, Murphysboro, 111. — General patron- age. When a Woman Sins, with Theda Bara. — Star is at her best in this one, audience well pleased. — VV. C. Cleeton, Gem theatre, Higbee, Mo. — Small town patronage. Fighting for Gold, with Tom Mix. — Good western picture. His pictures are all good. — Wm. Tongate. Star theatre, Carlisle, Ind. — General patronage. Checkers, with a special cast. — Well liked two days. — Jean Dagle, Liberty theatre, Murphysboro, 111. — General pat- ronage. Goldwyn Lord and Lady Algy, with Tom Moore. — A knockout picture. Moore certainly is a winner. Plenty of pep. — H. G. Ramsey, Royal theatre, El Dorado, Kan. — General patronage. Strictly Confidential, with Madge Ken- nedy.— One of Kennedy's best. Wonder- fully pleasing picture and star is fine. The type of picture that pleases 95^fc. — A. S. Widaman, Centennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind.— General patronage. The Crimson Gardenia, with Owen Moore. — Not a big drawing card for me but it was well received. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. Friend Husband, with Madge Kennedy. — not near as good as Baby Mine. — Chancellor Bros., Dreamland theatre, Arcanum, O. — Neighborhood patronage. One of the Finest, with Tom Moore. — Drew well and satisfied the patrons. Star is a comer. — Barselt, Bennington theatre, Bennington, Kan. — Neighbor- hood patronage. Back to the Woods, with Mabel Nor- mand. — A good picture. Fair business. — Wm. Tongate, Star theatre, Carlisle, Ind. — General patronage. A Perfect 36, with Mabel Normand. — A poor Mabel Normand picture. Star has made some great pictures, but Gold- wyn does not get her the right plays lately. — Custer Carland, Victoria theatre, Frankfort, Mich.- — Small town patronage. One of the Finest, with Tom Moore. — Our people like this play very much. — Wapazo theatre, L. V. Kelly, Faith, So. Dak. — Critical patronage. Friend Husband, with Madge Kennedy. — A very good picture. Star well liked here. — Wm. Tongate, Star theatre, Car- lisle, Ind. — General patronage. The Beloved Traitor, with Mae Marsh. — Good, Drew well. Star well liked. Jno. L Saunders, Cheney theatre, Cheney, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. Metro Lombardi, Ltd., with Bert Lytell. — Fine. Played this picture shortly after the show so as to benefit from show ad- vertising.— Strand theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Transient patronage. That's Good, with Hale Hamilton. — Very good comedy.- — L. M. Kuhns, Gib- son theatre, Gibson, N. M. — Mining camp patronage. The Brat, with Nazimova. — Two days' run. Well liked. Nazimova popular here. Jean Dagle, Liberty theatre, Murphys- boro, 111. — General patronage. The Blind Man's Eyes, with Bert Ly- tell.— One of Lytell's best, and they are all good. — R. Ross Riley, Wigwam thea- tre, Oberlin, Kan. — Small town patron- age. Eye for Eye, with Nazimova. — First time we have shown this star. Drew good and pleased. — W. H. Mart, Strand theatre, Grinnell, Iowa. — College town patronage. 84 EXHIBITORS HERALD A QUEEN'S SMILE MAY CHANGE THE MAP OF A CONTINENT And the smile of a cigarette girl may mean inspiration for a young musician. This is just what Elinor Fair's smile means to Albert Ray in the new William Fox feature of New York's most individual street called "Tin Pan Alley." Out of the Fog, with Nazimova. — Ex- cellent. Nazimova draws well here. — L. M. Kuhns, Gibson theatre, Gibson, N. M. — Mining camp patronage. Shadows of Fear, with Harold Lock- wood. — Fine picture. — Loeffelholz Bros., Auditorium theatre, Cuba City, Wis. — General patronage. The Brat, with Nazimova. — The star at her best. If you fell down on The Red Lantern, book this one. That's what we did and we do not regret it. Patrons were well pleased. — A. L. Orr & Son, Opera House, Dwight, 111. — General pat- ronage. Opportunity, with Viola Dana. — Very good comedy. Metro pictures are all good. — A. J. Steggall, Opera House, Fay- ette, la. — College town patronage. Kildare of Storm, with Emily Stevens. Pleased nearly everyone. — L. M. Kuhns, Gibson theatre, Gibson, N. M. — Mining camp patronage. Eye for Eye, with Nazimova. — I can- say too much for this one outside of the fact that I just booked Red Lantern and The Brat to follow. Nazimova is in a class by herself and should be ap- preciate-.l by all. — Princess theatre, L. J. Frana, West Union, Iowa. — Small town patronage. Eye for Eye, with Nazimova. — Great picture. Put your name to it. Your patrons will all say, "Wonderful." — Geo. A. Rea, Forum theatre, Hillsboro, O. — General patronage. Out of the Fog, with Nazimova. — A most satisfying production. Acting re- markable, scenery splendid. Not a hero kiss in the entire play. Finished without the usual strangle hold that's as common as the Good Nite slide. It's a real one. Book it. — Auditorium theatre, J. J. Jen- kins, Neligh, Neb. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Pals First, with Harold Lockwood. — good picture, but people don't care to see it because the star is dead. — S. H. Grove, Preston theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. The Spender, with Bert Lytell. — A light comedy. Good acting. New star to us. — Breggren & Taddiken, Elite hood patronage. The Lion's Den, with Bert Lytell.— Very good picture. Superior to many high-priced specials. Star liked well in our town. — C. H. Dicke, Dicke theatre, Downers Grove, 111. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Paramount The Miracle Man, with a special cast. — Most generally satisfying for mixed audience we have shown this year. — F. K. Davis, Majestic theatre, Eastland, Tex. — Mixed patronage. The Misleading Widow, with Billie Burke. — Very good picture. Unless a fault of the producer, there is something radically wrong with your patrons when Billie Burke fails to please. There is no fault to be found with the producer in this picture. — A. L. Orr & Son, Opera House, Dwight, 111. — General patronage. Girls, with Marguerite Clark. — A very good comedy-drama for her. She always draws well here. — H. G. Ramsey, Royal theatre, El Dorado, Kans. — General pat- ronage. Stepping Out, with Enid Bennett. — Excellent. Drew well. Patrons said, 'Very Good." — W. A. Graeper, Union Avenue theatre, Portland, Ore.— Neigh- borhood patronage. Crooked Straight, with Charles Ray. — Good picture, but not the kind of story the people want to see Ray in. — James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Cal. — General patronage. The Biggest Show on Earth, with Enid Bennett. — One that keeps them in- terested all the time and has a good plot. — -Geo. D. Rogers, Gem theatre, Lyndon, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Miracle Man, with a special cast. — -A remarkable picture. It deserves the name Super-Special. Acting absolutely wonderful. Small towns can easily stand two days' booking. We played it three days.- — A. L. Orr & Son, Opera House, Dwight, 111. — General patronage. Fuss and Feathers, with Enid Bennett. — Light and dainty. One of the kind this star puts over so well. Pleased a good house on a rainy night. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — Gen- eral patronage. The Woman Thou Gavest Me, with Katherine MacDonald. — Something de- cidedly better and went big for two nights. Pictures of this class make pa- trons and money. — Ben. L. Morris. Olympic theatre, Bellaire, O. — General patronage. Molly Entangled, with Vivian Martin. — Vivian draws well for me and is a fav- orite here. Picture not much good. — Barselt, Bennington theatre, Bennington, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Law of the North, with Charles Ray. — Good picture. Ray is a great draw- ing card. — F. Hanifan, Lyric theatre, Swea City, la. — Neighborhood patronage. Turning the Tables, with Dorothy Gish. — A good one. Miss Gish is cer- tainly coming at our house. Her picture is a good bet for any audience. — James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Cal. — General patronage. The Hope Chest, with Dorothy Gish. — Fair picture. Star does not draw. — F. Hanifan, Lyric theatre, Swea City, la. — Neighborhood patronage. The Law of Men, with Enid Bennett. — Pleased small per cent of Saturday crowd. Poorest Bennett yet. Slow. — K. J. Aglow, Strand theatre, Whitewater, Wis. — General patronage. L' Apache, with Dorothy Dalton. — Not a good Dalton picture. Had good busi- ness.— James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Cal. — General patronage. Out of Luck, with Dorothy Gish. — The exhibitor who runs this picture will be "out of luck," as it is about the poor- est excuse of a comedy that we ever had. Business as bad as the picture. — Opera House, Pfeffer Bros., Kenton, O. — -General patronage. The Miracle Man, with a special cast. Broke our house record, held by Daddy Long Legs. Of course, we also broke all records in advertising and increase in expenses. — R. R. Booth, Paramount theatre, Nebraska City, Neb.— General patronage. Luck in Pawn, with Marguerite Clark. — A good Clark. Photography very poor, the print I had seemed to have no life to it. Business very good. — James Sams, Rosemary theatre, Ocean Park, Cal. — General patronage. Less Than Kin, with Wallace Reid. — Good. — Pleased a big Saturday night crowd. — A. N. Miles, Eminence theatre, Eminence, Ky. — General patronage. Boots, with Dorothy Gish. — Dorothy is right out there in this picture and it pleased immensely as holiday show. — Ben. L. Morris, Olympic theatre, Bel- laire, O. — General patronage. The Way of a Man With a Maid, with Bryant Washburn. — Not a great picture, but a pleasing story all the way. They seemed to like it. — Ben. L. Morris, Olym- pic theatre, Bellaire, O. — General pat- ronage. Pathe Oh Boy! with June Caprice and Creighton Hale. — Simply big. A won- derful production. Drew everybody in. Ran it two days to capacity business. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. 85 EXHIBITORS HERALD The Bishop's Emeralds, with Virginia Pearson. — Very fine picture to average business. Deserving of better patronage. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. The Love Cheat, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale. — These two stars are drawing better in each picture and deservedly so. 1 his is a clean, pleasing production. — A. S. Widaman, Centennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind. — General patron- age. The World Aflame, with Frank Keenan. — A good strong Keenan type. Pleased a big majority. — B. C. Brown, Star theatre, Viroqua, Wis. — -General patronage. The Thirteenth Chair, with a special cast. — A good mystery drama. Rental within reach of average small town ex- hibitor.— B. C. Brown, Star theatre, Viroqua, Wis. — General patronage. Republic When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast.— Biggest matinee we have shown to advanced prices. Paper and title draw crowd. Entirely satisfying. — F. K. Davis, Majestic theatre, Eastland, Tex. — Mixed patronage. When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast.— -Played to two days' good busi- ness.— B. C. Brown, Star theatre, Viro- qua, Wis. — General patronage. Bringing Up Betty, with Evelyn Gree- ley.— Light comedy-drama. Got a few hands. — A. L. King, Lincoln theatre, Oakland, Cal. — Neighborhood patronage. When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast. — A 100% picture. Splendid story, good direction, fine acting and good box office results.— B. I. Vandyke, Royal theatre, Des Moines, la. — Down- town patronage. The Man Hunt, with Ethel Clayton — Another good picture. — J. L. Meyers, Liberty theatre, Ivesdale, 111. — Small town patronage. Phil-For-Short, with Evelyn Greeley. — Very good comedy-drama. Good picture with a clever star to good business. — ANN LITTLE Leading woman with Wallace Held in "The Hear Trap," n I'aramount-Artcraf • picture. Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast. — Good picture, drew good busi- ness.— William Noble, "New Folly thea- tre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General patronage. When Bearcat Went Dry, with a spe- cial cast. — Did best business on this picture since house was open except on Select pictures. Everyone came out and left pleased. Action quick and all parts wonderfully taken. Book it. — F. R. Marks, Glory theatre, Kansas City, Mo. — Neighborhood patronage. The Love Defender, with Frank Mayo. — Frank Mayo drew them in. He sure has his followers. Got the looks arid acting. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Robertson-Cole The Other Half, with ZaSu Pitts.— As good a picture as we ever ran. Satisfied everybody. They said so and looked it. A picture with something to it. Good action, photography, and splendid story. — G. L. Deady, Palace theatre, North Rose, N. Y. Kitty Kelly, M. D., with Bessie Bar- riscale. — Big crowds Friday and Satur- day with this picture, which was good. — F. A. Warkman, Best theatre, Brainerd, Minn. — Transient patronage. The Man Who Turned White, with H. B. Warner.- — Our patrons didn't seem to like this one. Not very clear cut. — Chan- cellor Bros., Dreamland theatre, Arca- num, O. — Neighborhood patronage. For a Woman's Honor, with H. B. Warner. — Good picture. Pleased good size audience. — F. S. Warkman, Best theatre, Brainerd, Minn. — Transient pat- ronage. The Other Half, with ZaSu Pitts.— Showed this one to a fine crowd. Every- body commented on this as the show of the minute. — J. F. Johnston, Central the- atre, Oberlin, Kan. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. His Debt, with Sessue Hayakawa. — Very good picture. Above the average. Box office receipts excellent. The pic- tures of this star under Haworth banner are a record for consistent good pictures. Each builds business for the next one. — W. A. Graeper, Union Avenue theatre, Portland, Ore. — Neighborhood patron- age. The Man Beneath, with Sessue Haya- kawa.— Good. Drew very well. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. And a Still Small Voice, with Henry B. Walthall. — A good picture. Good business, star always pleases here. — Wm. Tongate, Star theatre, Carlisle, Ind. — General patronage. In Search of Arcady, with Billie Rhodes. — A good picture and pleased.^ H. H. Billings, Pleasant Hour theatre, Pine Island, Minn. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Select The Country Cousin, with Elaine Ham- merstein. — A most pleasing and beauti- ful picture as well as star. Just the kind • my patrons like. — A. S. Widaman, Cen- tennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind. — General patronage. The Isle of Conquest, with Norma Talmadge. — Picture great. Big puller 86 | LIVERY box office day | is a pulse beat of the | industry. 1 The account of another | exhibitor's box office day | is the most vitally inter est- | ing history that any theatre | manager can read. | Such accounts are written | here. | Read them. And add | your own history for the | benefit of those who write | their experiences for you. and big business. — Strand theatre, Okla- homa City, Okla. — General patronage. The Forbidden City, with Norma Tal- madge.— Average picture, average busi- ness. A one-day picture. Norma draw- ing better than Constance. — K. J. Aglow, Strand theatre, Whitewater, Wis.— Gen- eral patronage. The Country Cousin, with Elaine Ham- merstein.— Excellent. Star acted well and is well liked. All patrons wait for her next picture. — C. H. Dicke, Dicke theatre, Downers Grove, 111. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Burden of Proof, with Marion Davis. — A splendid picture. Pleased. — Jno. L. Saunders, Cheney theatre, Che- ney, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. Upstairs and Down, with Olive Thomas. — Absolutely one of the biggest money makers for us. Truly a good pic- ture and the star sure has the goods. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Upstairs and Down, with Olive Thomas. — Star does fine work. Story not liked by some. Subtitles help put the picture over. — P. K. Anton, Royal thea- tre, New Castle, Ind. — General patron- age. A Scream in the Night, with Ruth Budd. — Played to a good house with ad- vanced price. Everybody pleased. You won't go wrong in booking this one. We want more like it. — B. A. Cox, Owl thea- tre, Pleasanton, Tex. — Neighborhood patronage. The Midnight Patrol, with a special cast. — Excellent picture, could use lots more of this type. — H. E. Malaby, Pick- wick theatre, San Diego, Cal. — General patronage. The Reason Why, with K. C. Young. — Good picture. Business good. — Joe An- derson, Hatton, N. D. — Neighborhood patronage. A Regular Girl, with Elsie Janis. — Fair story which Elsie Janis puts over. Noth- ing much to play only good advertising. — P. K. Anton, Royal theatre, New Cas- tle, Ind. — General patronage. The Spite Bride, with Olive Thomas.— A fine picture. High class and drew big business. — Palace theatre, Harvard, 111. — Mixed patronage. The Country Cousin, with Elaine Ham- merstein. — Miss Hammerstein has not EXHIBITORS HERALD yet arrived but is on the way. Photog- raphy excellent. Scenery beautiful. Would have been an excellent production had the director been satisfied to have fin- ished the picture without injecting a suggestive scene. — Auditorium theatre, J. C. Jenkins, Neligh, Neb. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Honeymoon, with Constance Tal- madge. — A light comedy-drama that is good. C. Talmadge is aways good. She draws well here. Business good. — Joe Anderson, Opera House, Hatton, N. D. — Neighborhood patronage. The Perfect Lover, with Eugene O'Brien. — Good picture. Star does good work. Patrons did not like his support- ing cast. — P. K. Anton, Royal theatre, New Castle, Ind. — General patronage. Up the Road with Sallie, with Con- stance Talmadge. — An extra good one. Constance draws well here. Everyone pleased. — Jno. L. Saunders, Cheney thea- tre, Cheney, Kan. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Happiness a la Mode, with Constance Talmadge. — This truly was liked. My patrons claimed it her best. Good busi- ness.— Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Triangle Breezy Jim, with Crane Wilbur. — Fine picture.— Loeffelholz Bros., Auditorium theatre, Cuba City, Wis. — General pat- ronage. Atta Boy's Last Race, with Dorothy Gish. — Dandy good race track picture.— J. M. Bailey, Gem theatre, Waverly, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Flame of the Yukon, with Dor- othy Dalton. — One of the best pictures of its kind ever produced. Satisfied pa- trons.— B. I. Vandyke, Royal theatre, Des Moines, la. — Downtown patronage. Child of M'sieu, with Baby Marie Os- borne.— A pleasing story, but we missed little black Sambo in this one. — Loeffel- holz Bros., Auditorium theatre, Cuba City, Wis. — General patronage. Wolves of the Border, with Roy Stew- art.— If you like a Western with lots of action, book this one. Triangle always good. — J. M. Bailey, Gem theatre, Wa- verly, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Boss of the Lazy Y, with Roy Stewart. — No complaint about this pic- ture. A good clean Western. — Geo. O. Barlow, Unique theatre, Steamboat Rock, Iowa. — Neighborhood patronage. Deuce Duncan, with William Desmond. — Good Western. — J. M. Bailey, Gem theatre, Waverly, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Crown of Jewels, with Claire An- derson.— Will take in some places. We call it just fair. — Loeffelholz Bros., Auditorium theatre, Cuba City, Wis. — General patronage. Hell's End, with Wm. Desmond. — No good. It is not the class of a picture that takes here. This is a slum picture and is true to name. — Hart & Henderson, Rex theatre, Moorhead, Iowa. — Neigh- borhood patronage. Peggy, with Billie Burke. — A good pro- gram picture. Advertised strong and did a good business. — Palace theatre, E. H. Winkler, St. John, Kan. — Small town patronage. United Picture Theatres The Woman Under Oath, with Flor- ence Reed. — Here is a very good picture. It is novel and holds the spectators' at- tention from start to finish. We heard more comments on this subject than on any for a long while. Book it and ad- vertise it. — Chancellor Bros., Dreamland theatre, Arcanum, O. — Neighborhood patronage. The Woman Under Oath, with Flor- ence Reed. — Good business. Star good drawing card. Patrons well satisfied. Fine picture. — Joe. C. Staak, Royal thea- tre, Carroll, la. — General patronage. Her Code of Honor, with Florence Reed. — Local patronage does not like this one. Prints too dark and do not make for good projection. — H. E. Mal- aby, Pickwick, theatre, San Diego, Cal. — General patronage. A Man's Fight, with Dustin Farnum. — This picture is just the kind that we like and it pleased all classes of people. It drew a large house on a very bad night. — Palace theatre, Harvard, 111.— Mixed patronage. A Man's Fight, with Dustin Farnum. — One of the best. Business big. — S. H. Grove, Preston theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. Universal The Right to Happiness, with Dorothy Phillips. — Entirely satisfactory at ad- vanced prices. Good drawing capacity two days. — F. K. Davis, Majestic theatre, Eastland, Tex. — Mixed patronage. Paid in Advance, with Dorothy Phil- lips.— Class B picture. Business fair, weather good. — P. D. Allenan, Strand theatre, Clinton, la. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. The Sleeping Lion, with Monroe Salis- bury.— My people called this an extra good picture. Personally thought that direction was far above the average. — E. L. Franck, Oasis theatre, Ajo, Ariz. — Neighborhood patronage. The Right to Happiness, with Dorothy . Phillips. — Wonderful acting. Clean. Teaching love and kindness to everyone, excellent. Book it today. — C. H. Dicke, Dicke theatre, Downers Grove, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Outcasts of Poker Flat, with Carey. — Biggest Carey to date. He has neved failed to draw for us. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Forbidden, with Mildred Harris. — Was a fine picture but played to very poor business. — New Folly theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. — General patronage. Bonnie Bonnie Lassie, with Mary Mc- Laren.— This picture will stand the crit- ical test before any audience in any neighborhood. I found actual pleasure in presenting it to the public. — S. A. Nes- bitt, Home theatre, Rochester, Penn. — Neighborhood patronage. The Vanity Pool, with Mary McLaren. — A good picture but star not popular with my patrons. — F. F. Jones, Pastime theatre, Woodston, Kan. — Neighborhood patronage. The Spitfire of Seville, with Hedda Nova. — Only fair. Not enough pep. Scenery is beautiful. — Wm. Clayton, Pythian theatre, Sunbury, Ohio. — Mixed patronage. The Weaker Vessel, with Mary Mc- Laren.— Very good picture. She is al- ways a good drawing card. Her stories are always the best. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighbor- hood patronage. The Petal on the Current, with Mary McLaren. — Sure is a fine picture. A good story for young girls. It pleased. — Wm. Clayton, Pythian theatre, Sun- bury, O. — Mixed patronage. EXHIBITORS HERALD USE THIS BLANK Danger, Go Slow, with Mae Murray. — A good picture. Star popular with my house. Action rather slow, but interest- ing.— F. F. Jones, Pastime theatre, Woodston, Kan. — Neighborhood patron- age. The Blinding Trail, with Monroe Salis- bury.— A good picture. Everybody pleased. Star is a fine actor. — E. E. Bon- ham, Ideal theatre, Prairie du Sac, Wis. — Neighborhood patronage. The Blinding Trail, with Monroe Salis- bury.— A picture that pleases all. — S. H. Grove, Preston theatre, Louisville, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. The Right to Happiness, with Dorothy Phillips. — Good feature and good draw- ing attraction. Played return date. — Wil- liam NodIc, New Folly theatre, Okla- homa City, Okla. — General patronage. Vitagraph A Girl at Bay, with Corinne Griffith. — A very good picture. Drew well, good business. Joe Anderson, Opera House, Hatton, N. D. — Neighborhood patron- age. A Stitch in Time, with Gladys Leslie. ■ — Fine little comedy-drama and dandy little star. My patrons were well pleased with this one. Business good. — Charles Guizzetti, Opera House, Gardner, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. The Gray Tower's Mystery, with Gladys Leslie. — If you want real perfect photography and a No. 1 picture that will please your patrons, play this one. Vita- graph doesn't send out short reels. You get full titles to all and full reels. — Ca- sino theatre, J. D. Woodbeck, Kissim- mee, Florida. — General Patronage. The Bramble Bush, with Corinne Grif- fith.— Very. good. Good drawing card. You cannot miss this star's work; she is truly gaining popularity. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb.— Neighborhood patronage. The Cambric Mask, with Alice Joyce. — Although a good picture, it did not compare with The Lion and the Mouse. —Bert Norton, Kozy theatre, Eureka, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. A Stitch in Time, with Gladys Leslie. ■ — A fine picture. Everyone liked it. Business good. — Joe Anderson, Opera House, Hatton, N. D. — Neighborhood patronage. The Vengeance of Durand, with Alice Joyce.— Run for two days. Only picture I ever ran that got more money last day than the first. — L. G. Hrumphy, Glory B theatre, Miami, Okla. — General patron- age. The Gamblers, with Harry Morey.— A good picture. You can make no mis- take by booking it. — Palace theatre, Har- vard, 111. — Mixed patronage. Specials Yankee Doodle in Berlin (Mack Sen- nett), with a special cast. — This picture failed to please and not worth the price of admission. — Empress theatre, Okla- homa City, Okla. — General patronage. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Gar- son), with Blanche Sweet. — Broke all records and only had three days to ad- vertise it. Ran it one more day than usual program. — Henry Peitier, Shelby theatre, Hornsville, Ky.— Neighborhood patronage. The Eyes of the World (Clune), with a special cast. — Advertised this big and had to turn them away. Made me more money than any picture I ever ran. Charged 25 and 50 cents. — Mrs. E. Dew- hirst, Beverly Picture theatre, Beverly, Kan. — Small town patronage. Hearts of Men (Hiram Abrams), with Geo. Beban. — A good special feature. — Loeffelholz Bros., Auditorium theatre, Cuba City, Wis. — General patronage. Mickey (Western Import), with Mabel Normand. — Cleaned up with Mickey even after playing Cincinnati three weeks. I have booked Mickey for a return run. — Pete Smith, Avenel theatre, Bellevue, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. Mickey (Western Import), with Mabel Normand. — Simply a clean-up here, as everywhere else. This picture certainly does draw. — A. S. Widaman, Centennial theatre, Warsaw, Ind. — General patron- age. Mickey (Western Import), with Mabel Normand. — Worth 25 cents but not forty cents. — Ben. Brink, West Point, la. — Neighborhood patronage. Stolen Orders (Brady), with a special cast. — A good picture but failed to draw. — Mrs. J. A. Dostal, Ideal theatre, Omaha, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. Virtuous Men (S-L Pictures), with E. K. Lincoln. — One of the best pictures I run in a long time. Big crowd two days. — -Palace theatre, Harvard, 111. — Mixed patronage. The Unpardonable Sin (Harry Lar- son), with Blanche Sweet. — This is a grand picture. We changed our policy, cutting out vaudeville, and a mid-week change, so as to play this a full week. — J. Real Neth, Ada Meade theatre, Lex- ington, Ky. — Transient patronage. Hearts of Men (Hiram Abrams), with George Beban. — Very fine picture. Good business two days. — Joe C. Staak, Royal theatre, Carroll, la. — General patronage. Hearts of Men (Hiram Abrams), with George Beban. — Not a special by any means. Just ordinary program picture. Will please as such. — R. R. Booth, Para- mount theatre, Nebraska City, Nebr. — General patronage. Stolen Orders (William A. Brady), with a special cast. — This is a real spe- cial. Sure to please the most critical. — C. W. Krebs, Cherokee theatre, Louis- ville, Ky. — Neighborhood patronage. Virtuous Men (S-L Pictures), with E. K. Lincoln.— Very good picture but title used for drawing power only. Not worth advanced admission. — Geo. D. Roger. Gem theatre, Lyndon, Kans. — Neighborhood patronage. Serials The Tiger's Trail (Pathe), with Ruth Roland. — The best serial we have ever seen. The star is a dandy and a crowd- getter. — Philbrick & Knoblauch, Rex theatre, Allen, Nebr. — Neighborhood pat- ronage. Hands Up (Pathe), with Ruth Roland. — Best serial I ever had. Lots of action. S. R. O. every episode. — F. F. Jones, Pastime theatre, Woodston, Kans. — Neighborhood patronage. Hands Up (Pathe), with Ruth Roland. —Just finished. Had good attendance to the last episode. One of the best serials I ever run. Book it. — B. A. Cox, Owl theatre, Pleasanton, Tex. — Neighborhood patronage. The Lightning Raiders (Pathe), with Pearl White. — Have run five episodes and interest holds up fine. Star's work very good with good supporting cast. — F. F. Jones, Pastime theatre, Woodston, Kans — Neighborhood patronage. Box Office Reports Tell the Whole Story. Join in This Co-operative Service. Report Regularly on Pictures You Exhibit And Read in The Herald Every Week What Pictures Are Doing for Other Exhibitors. Fill in this blank now and send to Exhibitors Herald, 417 S. Dear- born St., Chicago. Title Star Producer Remarks Title Star Producer Remarks Exhibitor Name of Theatre Transient or Neighborhood Pat- ronage City State 88 EXHIBITORS HERALD gMimiimiiiiiHiiiiirriiiiiiiniiiiiTi['"ii"'T niuiiiuainiiuii uiuiimniiiiimmiimiiumiiiuimiiiiimiiiiii uuun iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiuiiuNiuiiiiuiiiiiuiiiiinirauiimiiiiiiiiuiiiiimiiiii iiuuiig WD □! Volplaning Around N Yaw k !□ . □( SflMwiiiiiuuunHiuBHJiiiiiii mi ■inminiiiiiimiiiiiinii 1 1 With J. B. mmmmmmmmm urn i iiiiiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiuiuiiuiiuiiii^ New York City, Dec. 9. C. Lang Cobb, general manager of the Artcolor Pictures Company, Inc., left New York Wednesday, December 3, for Jackson- ville, Florida, to negotiate for and install studios for the production of Artcolor pho- toplays in natural colors. Suitable quarters for the Artcolor players will also be ar- ranged for by Mr. Cobb. Dr. Norman Bridges, president of the Childhood Conservation League for Mexico, Central and South America, gave a banquet at the Waldorf Astoria recently. After the banquet, motion pictures were shown which were taken especially for the occasion. They were out of the ordinary and very much worth while. There were many well known firm men on hand and they ex- pressed very favorable criticism on the pic- tures. L. Rosenthal, president oi Rosenthal & Saperstein of Chicago, has been in Xew York for the past week. Maxwell Spencer of the Augusta Films Company, Maine, has been in town for the past ten days. Mr. Spencer is the guest of Horrace Prichard at Xew Rochelle. Ray Somerville has joined the Fox sce- nario staff. Andrew Dresner of the Exhibitors Film Service, Washington, D. C, has been a visitor in Manhattan for the week past. Guy L. Wonders of Baltimore is in New York. Mr. Wonders is the manager of the Wilson theatre. Gloria Swansox arrived in California from New York last Thursday. Henry Morgan Hobart has been ap- pointed successor to C. F. Zittel at the In- ternational Film Company. Mr. Hobart comes from the International Magazine Company. There is no chance of Goldwyn blowing up with the Duponts behind them. We won't be surprised, however, to hear that Goldwyn is putting on 'The Dynamiters" of Robert Lewis Stephenson fame. The guest of honor at the Pen and Brush Club meeting last week was Anita Loos of photodramatic fame, who told the club members the real facts about the scenario writing game. Miss Loos spent two days writing the speech lest these facts prove too incriminating. At the end of the week she expects to retire to the Manhattan Hos- pital for a much postponed throat operation, leaving John Emerson to his arduous task of personally directing Constance Tal- madge in the new Emerson-Loos photoplay. "In Search of a Sinner." ' Joseph Shipman, manager of the Ship- man Process Company of Los Angeles, is in New York. He is stopping at the Com- modore Hotel. On Tuesday, December 2nd. Mr. Shipman gave a demonstration of a new patent device which will turn out pub- licity photographs of any size in the form of a film, thereby reducing the cost of pro- duction and quickening by over 400 per cent the source of supplies for publicity and other forms of " advertising. A. H. Fischer, president of the A. H. Fischer studios, believes that the "early bird catches the worm," so he is always among the first to reach the office in the morning. Some employes are afraid of being mis- taken for worms if they get out too early, so they saunter in about noon. At a recent meeting of the M. P. D. A., fellow directors were notified that here- after Brother J. J., better known as "Jack" Harvey, should be addressed with due re- spect, as John Joseph Harley. When members of this worthy organization sec- ond and carry a move of that kind there is usually a reason. In this instance, per- haps, it is because within six months Direc- tor Harvey has had published through Par- amount, the Briggs comedies, and those he is engaged in directing at present, starring Ernest Truex. Evidently Paramount thinks well of John Joseph's work. C. Jay Williams, treasurer of the Motion Picture Directors' Association, is still re- ceiving a daily "looking over" by a flock of doctors, with the hope of avoiding a strious operation for mastoiditis, from which he has been suffering some four weeks. William F. Haddock, who will direct for the Educational Film Company, has been busy the past two weeks looking up his- JOH.X G. ADOL.FI Who has just completed the direction of "Who's Your Brother," a story by Rob- ert B. Stockbridge, for the Curtiss Pic- tures Corporation. torical data for use in making his first picture in this connection. Mr. Haddock is known among his fellow M. P. D. A. mem- bers as a stickler for detail. Two weeks reading up on a subject means nothing in his young life if it serves to improve a production. Among other busy M. P. D. A. members is Perry Vekroff, who no sooner finished his serial, "The Isle of Jewels," than he was assigned a feature "Cynthia of the Minute" Artco production. Mr. Vekroff has two screen favorites to his advantage. Leah Baird. in the title role, and Hugh Thomp- son for the handsome hero. Being an actor-director-co-star of serials, which at best is no boy's play, does not in- terfere with the activities of George B. Seitz, in M. P. D. A. affairs, especially if he happens to miss a meeting. It is then the easiest thing of the evening to put "let George do it" into action, so Mr. Geitz has decided that hereafter he will schedule his night scenes with due respect to the first and third Tuesdays of the month. It only takes one evening to attend a meeting and enjoy it, while if he misses one — it is liable to take several of his evenings "off" to per- from the allotted duties assigned in his ab- sence, for which, he thinks, the popular slo- gan is responsible. Lawrence Weber made sure to sign George Irving, president of the Motion Picture Directors' Association, to direct "The Girl in Waiting" before Mr. Irving's future contract called him to England. Mr. Irving works fast, but evidently Mr. Weber was taking no chances. Jay Hunt decided to leave New York flat and "winter in California." He left in a hurry. Texas Guinan, whom he will direct in two reel westerns, points a wicked gun, and may not always wait until a direc- tor calls "Shoot !" Who can remember when Charlie Gib- lyn directed a fellow named Tom Moore, leading man? Who can forget when he directed Tom Moore, male star in "Just for Tonight ?" It would seem those who make their astronomic debuts under the guiding hand of Mr. Giblyn, tarry awhile with fol- lowers of screen drama. And among other achievements, Charlie is the official "after meeting" raconteur of the M. P. D. A. Exhibitors who recognize the drawing power of a director's name, will be eager for the release of "The Harvest Moon." starring Doris Kenyon. directed by J. Searle Dawley. a name that means "a good picture." It will remembered Mr. Dawley previously directed Miss Kenyon in "Twi- light" much to his credit. Kenneth Webb is becoming a "globe trotter" He goes to Boston to finish a pic- ture starring Alice Brady and now he is leaving New York for Chicago where he will direct Constance Binney (playing at the Princess Theatre in "39 East"), in an- other photo-play. Those M. P. D. A. boys keep working. Either Los Angeles weather is changeable or the ingenue lead of the Rex Beach pro- duction "Going Some" is addicted to the "summer furs" habit. Lillian Hall, claim- ing five feet and 100 pounds, wrote her press agent all about the summer frocks the girls were wearing. It took five days for the letter to reach New York. Meantime, 89 EXHIBITORS HERALD SCENES FROM THREE NEW SELZNICK PICTURES To the left is a tense moment in "Piccadily Jim," starring Owen Moore. The girl is Zeena Keefe, Selznick's 1920 star. In the centre is Elaine Hammerstein in "Greater Than Fame." At the right is a view of Olive Thomas in "Out Yonder." arriving on the same day, came a Western Union appeal, "Send fur coat at once. Need badly." Arline Pretty is with us again. She has been away some time "resting" in Pennsyl- vania, but at the same time playing the title role in a serial of which she is the star, "A Woman in Gray." It is predicted Miss Pretty will add to the already popular novel of the same name, by her screen interpre- tation, under the direction of James Vin- cent. Arline says there was nothing to do but rest, in the evenings, but it seems to have agreed with her. She is looking even better. Sydney A. Franklin joined the May- flower directorial staff. He is to picturize the R. W. Chambers stories. "Blind Love," in which Louise Cotton stars, has been purchased by Nathan Hirsh for world distribution. Arthur S. Kane left for California on Saturday. M. Kane expects to visit Chi- cago, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, but hopes to be home for the Yuletide. "Old King Coal" seems to be on top again this winter and it looks as though we were in for a frosting. Wonder if "King Cole Comedies" will keep a theatre warm. Jules Cowles, who has been playing character leads for the Arrow Film Com- pany up in the Adirondack mountains, has resigned from the company and rumor says that he signed up with Paramount. Harry Weisburg, who is spending his honeymoon in Florida, writes that he is so happy that he has "forgotten his own name." Hope this won't cause Harry and embarrasment in the hotel in case he also forgets his room number. The handsome residence of Mrs. C. E. Page at Orienta Point. Mamaroneck, New York, has been leased by Mrs. M. R. Gish for a term. Mrs. Gish and her daughters. Misses Lillian and Dorothy of the Griffith studios, will occupy the property as an all- year-round residence. C. A. Logue, secretary of the A. H. Fischer studios, has leased from the Kane estate the palatial residence of Mrs. M. Ma- son on Beach avenue, Larchmont Manor, New York. They had reserved seats and ticket spec- ulators at the Roman theatres in the time of Caesar. Now we understand why they fed tigers on men in the arenas. Eddie Bonns, press agent of "The Lost City," is in receipt of a communication from Miss Blake, one of the extras who worked in "The Lost City," and who is a piscatorial artist of the first water. She writes : "After a severe tussle I landed a twenty-one- pound salmon on the Columbia river near Walla Walla." From this distance it looks as if the tussle was with the cold truth rather than with the cold salmon. Herbert Lubin of the firm of Lubin & Sawyer has taken a long time lease of lower 27 on the Twentieth Century, or it would seem so because Herb uses this train about as often as the crew. Rose Shulsinger, who is recognized as one of the foremost personal publicity ex- perts in the picture industry, has been play- ing a new role during the past week. Rose has been acting purchasing agent for Mar- ion Davies and she shows great judgment and taste in her selections as Miss Davies is acknowledged to be one of the smartest at- tired stars in the country. Peter Smith, publicist for Marshal Nei- lan, hasn't been tendered a banquet for over five days! What 'smatter, Pete? Does your son make you go home to dinner now? Hunt Stromberg and his aide-de-camp, Ben Grimm of the Selznick advertising and publicity department are turning out ad copy that carries conviction. And besides that they get it out on time. Selznick purchased from Ernest Wil- liamson, general manager of the Submarine Film Corporation, the world's rights to the "Girl of the Sea" in which Betty Hilburn and Chester Barnett are co-stars. This deal was consummated Saturday. Ernest Williamson spent the week end at his hunting lodge, "The Manitee," in the Ramipo Hills. Harvey Jado, president of the Port Vic- toria Picture Company of Port Victoria, New Zealand, arrived on the Panama S. S. Allianca last week. Mr. Jado expects to purchase accessory equipment while here and also secure some American talent to take back to New Zealand. He left for Chicago on the Twentieth Century on Tuesday last. Grace W. Vail, motion picture editor of the Evening Journal and acting publicist for Numa, is writing up to her customary high standard and it won't be her fault if "The Return of Tarzan" doesn't get all the pub' licity it should. The S. S. Belvidere from Italy brought to the United States the following Italian picture stars, who are under contract with one of our producing companies : Caffa- teria Alfonso, Rosfini Arch mute and Amiloare Possacantash. Try them on your victrola. Lew Cody, whose pictures are being dis- tributed by Robertson-Cole, arrived in town Monday. It is expected he will remain over the holidays. Rod La Rocque, the leading juvenile in Marguerite Clark's latest "Easy to Get," left on Saturday for Chicago where he will join the Constance Binney Company. The Bin- ney company is now complete and it is ex- pected that work will soon commence on her next pictures. La Rocque, who is a Chicago boy, expects to renew old friend- ships formed while he was at the Essanay studio. Will Page, publicity expert for Comstock & Gest, announces that Famous Players- Lasky have arranged with Comstock & Gest for motion picture rights to all the latter's plays. The Paramount-Vanderbilt Expedition, which numbers among its personnel Cor- nelius Vanderbilt, Jr., and many other wealthy New Yorkers, has completed its first picture of the Canadian Rockies. The title of which is "In the Canadian Wilds." Vanderbilt and many of his comrades ap- pear in this picture. It is announced that the pictures will show the Royal Northwest Mounted Police in action and the haunts of some of the wildest and most ferocious ani- mals in the Rockies. 90 EXHIBITORS HERALD PIIIIIIIIW | WITH THE PROCESSION IN LOS ANGELES [ ^BnilUfTliaiMIIlNinnnmmmmilllllfllimnitllllltllTIEIIIJHlltimir^^^j^ Harry Hammond ^ea/flllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllilllllllllllllllllllllillli^ After a delay of several days occasioned by extra work needed in the construction of intricate sets, Larry Semon has started work on the first of his series of super- comedies to be made on his new contract with Yitagraph. Lucille Carlisle will be seen as leading lady. * * * Hurling a defi at death, Eddie Polo Universal serial star, will leap from one airplane to another in mid-air at DeMille field, Hollywood, to obtain a single scene for "The Vanishing Dagger," an eighteen episode serial. Arrangements are now being made at DeMille field for the daring feat which is to be staged shortly after the first of the year. It is planned to invite the public to witness the leap. Lieut. Locklear, dare-devil of the sky, will pilot one of the planes. Jacques Jac- card will direct and Milton Moore will have the difficult task of "shooting" the scene. Polo will make the jump by means of a rope ladder. * * * Gibson Gowland, now supporting Anita Stewart in "The Fighting Shepherdess." is one of the few character men who has risen nearly to the ranks of stardom dur- ing the past year. Less than one year ago he received his first great part; that of the sea captain in "White Heather." Since that time he has playfd the leading char- acter role in "Blind Husbands," the new George Loane Tucker production. "Ladies Must Live," and "The Right of Way." * * * Douglas Fairbanks has engaged Henry Clive, celebrated American artist, to fur- nish a series of artistic paintings to accom- pany the titles of the forthcoming produc- tion. "When the Clouds Roll By," the latest Fairbanks offering to be released through the United Artists Corporation. * * * H. H. Van Loan, the screen author, has been asked to prepare a story for Eva Tan- GUAY, who is at present in Los Angeles. * * * Bryant Washburn will complete his work in ''The Six Best Cellars," next week under Donald Crisp's direction, and will shortly begin in a new Paramount- Artcraf ; film entitled. "Where Tulia Rules." and will have as his director, James Cruze. Houdini and company, directed by James Cruz^, are still on location at an island in the Pacific ocean where they are making some of the spectucular scenes for "Terror Ts'and." the new picture being made by the famous escape artist for Famous Players-I asky. Several hundred negroes, representing islanders, are employed. * * * George H. Melford has again taken his "Sea Wolf" comnanv to San Francisco to make the fog collision scenes on the bay. He will return in a short time to complete the picture at the Laskv studio. * * '* Douglas McLean, who is co-starring with Doris May, in a series of comedies, presented by Thomas H. Ince, is in receipt of a "round robin" testimonial from one of the American Legion Posts in the East, in appreciation of the performance he gave in "Twenty-three and a Half Hour's Leave," where he plays the part of a doughboy, in an army cantonment. * * * Work has been started by Charles Ray and his supporting company in their current production , "Homer Comes Home," which was adapted to the screen by Agnes Chris- tine Johnston, from the original story of the same name by Alexander Hull. * * * What is probably one of the largest, if not the largest, sets ever built for use in a production of motion pictures has just been completed at the Thomas H. Ince studios, where J. Parker Read, Jr., produc- tions are filmed, under the direction of Fred Niblo, with Louise Glaum starred. The set is an exact replica of the Century- Theatre roof, and is complete from the back of the stage to the front entrance. One thousand people will work in this set, which is being used for scenes in "Sex," written especially for Miss Glaum, by C. Gardner Sullivan, and which is con- ceded by all who have read the script the most ambitious role ever attempted by a star. * * * Four new serials are now in course of production by Universal. Three of them are being produced in and around Universal City, while the other is being filmed in the Orient. * * * "The Man Hunter," starring Art Acord, supported by Mildred Moore, is a western story, directed by Reeves Eason. In the cast also appear George Field, Beatrice Dominguez, Charles Newton, Tote Du- Crow and others. * * * Al Russell is now working on the thir- teenth episode of ''The Lion Man," based on "The Strange Case of Cavendish," by Randall Parrish. Kathleen O'Connor and Jack Perrix arc featured in this serial. * * * A serial de-luxe entitled "The Vanishing Dagger," starring Eddie Polo, supported by Thelma Percy, C. Norman Hammond, Ray Ripley, Ruth Royce, Laura Oakley, Texas Watts and Captain Jarvis has just been started at Universal City, under the direction of Jacques Jaccard. * * * The fourth serial, "The Petals of Lao Tze," is being filmed in Japan and other countries in the far east. The star is Marie Walcamp, and the director is Henry McRae. * * * Tod Browning, directing Priscilla Dean in "The Beautiful Beggar," at Universal City, promises the completion of this elab- orate feature within two weeks. Work on the production began in August and has continued steadily, but the magnitude of the ensembles and the pretentiousness of the settings have necessitated slow progress. * * * The final scenes are being shot for "The Woman in the Plot," Eric Von Stroheim's second special production at Universal City. SIR HARRY LAUDER VISITS THOMAS H. INCE DURING his recent visit to the Ince Studio, Sir Harry Lauder appeared in a short film with Mr. Ince. This film will be taken by the Scotch comedian on his tour of the country and will be shown at each theatre in wh ch he appears. Sir Harry was accompanied on his visit to the studios by William Morris, his man- ager, and both were shown about the studio and entertained by Mr. Ince, meeting and chatting with most of the stars who make Thomas H. Ince productions for Paramount- Artcraf t. EXHIBITORS HERALD Four months have been spent on this fea- ture, depicting high life in Paris and based on the novel by the Baroness de Meyer, "Clothes and Treachery." Players appear- ing in this photodrama are Una Trevelyn, Clude Fillmore, Sam de Grasse, Maude George, Leo White, Mae Busch, Ruth King and Helen Broneau. * * * Edith Storey, who until two years ago, when she went into war work, was one of the leading favorites of the screen, is re- turning under the Haworth banner in "The Golden Hope," a story directed by Joseph de Grasse. * * * Syd Chaplin's first comedy for Para- mount is entitled "One Hundred Million." It isn't at all like Charles' travesties, but is a five reel feature. * * * A company of Mack Sennett Bathing Girls are now rehearsing a new act at the Sennett Studios, Los Angeles, and will leave direct from that city for Texas and Okla- homa to play the finest picture houses in the cities of those states. It is expected that the act will be ready within the next two weeks. E. M. Asher, personal repre- sentative of Mr. Sennett, is in charge of the production, and the tour will be under the direction of Sol Lesser. # * * Ali en Holubar and Dorothy Phillips, Universal director and star, are busy in the laboratory at Universal City these days editing and cutting the many thousand feet of film shot for "Ambition," Miss Phillips' latest contribution to the screen. Robert H. Poole, formerly manager of Hoyt's Theatre at Long Beach, has been engaged as assistant to S. L. Rothapfei. at the California Theatre. He will have the title of Managing Director. Victor Schertzinger, Goldwyn director, left this week for New York to produce the new Mabel Normand feature, "Maggie." Cullen Landis and Walter Hiers are also leaving to play important roles in her support. * * * This week marked the western premier of three new big productions in Los An- geles. "Scarlet Days," the latest D. W. Griffith feature, opened at Grauman's on Monday night. On the same evening Maurice Tourneur's "Woman" began an engagement at Clune's Auditorium. * * * Friday evening, Syd Grauman opened his new Rialto Theatre, formerly owned by J. A. Quinn, with Cecil B. DeMille's "Male and Female." Wm. S. Campbell, the animal director who made "The Jazz Monkey" and "Mon- key Stuff," starring Joe Martin, Universal's famous trick orang-outang, returned this week from New York with a contract from First National. He will have three produc- ing units — an animal comedy company, a straight comedy company and another or- ganization to produce a serial. Harry Burns, who was his chief directoral assist- ant at Universal City, will be associated with him in his new enterprise. * * * Al Nathan, formerly manager of the Broadway and Symphony theatres, in New York, when these two playhouses were controlled by Universal, is now handling publicity for the Alhambra Theatre. the As a special feature for his Kinema Theatre, T. L. Tally has engaged Sexok Manuella B. de Budron, formerly premier soloist with the Buenos Aires Grand Opera Company. * * * M. D. Howe, who toured the country with "Yankee Doodle in Berlin," and Sennen Bathing Girls, has been named Pacific Coast manager for the American Producers' Syn- dicate, which is sponsoring "The Beach Models," a giri act, featuring 1920 seaside toggery. The girls appear in connection with Chuck Reisner's comedy, "Dog Days." The attraction opened at the Symphony Theatre the week of December 7th. Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne are appearing at the Mason week commencing December 8th in their stage production "The Master Thief." GUARANTEED Mailing Lists MOVING PICTURE THEATRES Every State— total, 25,300; by States, $4.00 Per M. 1070 Film Exchanges $7.50 313 manufacturers and studios 4.00 368 machine and supply dealers 4.00 Further Particulars: A. F.WILLIAMS, 166 W. Adams St.. Chicago What More Can You Get in a Picture? Tom Moore and Hazel Daly — An established stage success — A cyclone of a boat race — A story that's saturated with college spirit — A thread of clean, manly and womanly love — An athletic appeal to red blooded folks — and A sure fire success; and much money Bro wn of H arv ard VIRTUOUS MEN FOOL'S GOLD ARTHUR S. HYMAN ATTRACTIONS CHICAGO — Consumers Bldg. W. G. McCOY, Mgr. DETROIT— Film Bldg. C. O. BROKAW, Mgr. 92 Several of the "Eyes of Youth" copies were sent to A. Teitel recently to undergo his special conservation process. Abe, who might better be termed "film insurance ex- pert," after completing his process on the copies, was heard to comment, "that to his judgment this new Clara Kimball Young feature was made up of about the finest photography he had ever seen." And take it from us. the old wizard sees 'em all. George West, formerly associated with the Emerald Motion Picture Co., is now- traveling across country to California in the interests of the Cropper Distributing Corp. to close many pending deals for his company on the new Billy West-Alice Howell comedies. Last heard of George was walking down the main drag of Dal- las, Texas, and, judging by his natty air, looks as though old Texas is all sewed up with these new comedies. W. G. McCoy, manager of the local A. S. Hymans Attractions exchange, owing to the increasing volume of business has ar- ranged new quarters for the shipping of their films. The shipping department for the future will be located on the fourth floor of the Shops Building, IT X. 'Wabash avenue. A rather confusing situation arose the other day on the phone wire of the First National exchange. It seems some fair maiden gave them a jingle to inquire if "I, Mary Mac Lane" was with the company. "No, we have not," she was courteously informed, "but we can let you converse with I. Maynard Schwartz, well- known member of our star sales organiza- tion." The other day while the various ex- change managers were gathered in serious conference with regard as to how they were to get by with the heat and illumina- tion subject owing to the very stringent restrictions then in force were given hasty salvation by I. Lesserman, manager of the Universal exchange. He intimated with that aggregation of Titan haired maids they have in their inspection rooms, many times they have been compelled to shut off the radiators with a consistent light reduc- tion. Makes it rather tough on those sweetie blondes and cutey brunettes that abound in the exchanges about the city. Let's hope the miners soon quit for the sake of the B. & B. battalion. Talk about speed and everythin'. T. T. Delaxey hadn't been in Omaha, Neb., in his new managerial berth for Vitagraph be- fore the boys elect him chairman of the grievance committee and secretary of the Omaha Film Board, an organization com- posed of local exchange managers. O. E. Florine, Buffalo, N. Y., representa- tive for Pathe, spent the turkey festival days with his brother "Chub" of the local exchange before shoving off for the East and showing a net gain of over five pounds of avoirdupois, he subtly informs his brother, "If Pathe were to start a list of Reported by "Mac" producing exchanges, Buffalo would be the FIRST on the list." Rather unkind to re- fuse a rating on Chicago. With the coal situation temporarily slow- ing things up, 'tis rumored many of the peppy and hustling salesmen are taking up AVIATION to keep fit. Any afternoon after 3 P. M. the indoor aerodrome located in the Briggs House opens up with a smash bang that makes ACES like Rickenbacker and Thaw look like selling platers at some county fair. Lieut. Mordue further states, "That if Jack Miller will stay PUT on the fistic arena he is eligible to their aviation classes." Will one of the staff of the Plaisance theatre kindly bring this to the attention of J. M.? "Chick" Keppler has landed a Loop set- in for the American Film feature, "Eve in Exile," to take the screen at Alcazar for a week. George Bricketto, erstwhile member of the Silee Film Exchange sales department, is now affiliated with the city sales of the A. S. Hyman Attractions and from the way George is stepping on the gas his new rep- resentation should show a considerable in- crease in the sales records. New York City film circles will be given ample opportunity to see what a real west- erner looks like upon the arrival of genial Phil W. Meyers of Minot, N. D., who goes there to attend the meeting of the United Picture Theaters of America. Old Wall street has some rather remarkable piles of the golden metal reposing in its various hid- ing places, BUT you ought to see what Phil has hidden in those great big Dakota hills about Minot. Maybe his initial bow to Gotham but from Chi westward he's as well kncwn as the very ozone that permeates our glorious land. United Artists Hold Chicago Conferences Hiram Abrams and Ralph O. Proctor, executives of the United Artists Distribut- ing Corporation, held important confer- ences at the Blackstone Hotel, Chicago, No- vember 30 and December 1, with their Central West branch managers. Among those attending were : Joe Luck- ett of Dallas, Tex., Mike Coyne of At- lanta, Richard Buckley of Kansas City. King Evans of Cleveland, Ty Henry of Denver, Charles Britt of Minneapolis, and C. E. Smith of Chicago. Cropper Offers Shows For Wounded Heroes - R. C. Cropper, president and general manager of the Bee Hive Exchange, Inc., Chicago, has donated to the mili- tary base hospital at Fort Sheridan a program of film entertainment covering an entire year. Mr. Cropper has agreed to furnish motion pictures for the entertainment of wounded soldiers at the hospital on every Wednesday evening during the entire coming year. Mr. Cropper will supply a well-bal- anced program of dramatic, comedy and serial subject. The initial Cropper pro- gram will be exhibited at the Fort on Wednesday, Dec. 17. GEORGE B. WEST Who has started on a long sales trip for the Cropper Distributing Corporation. 93 Interest in War Makes Curtiss Film Producer L. Roy Curtiss, who became president of the Curtiss Pictures Corp. in May, 1919, was first drawn to the producing field during the war, financing the mak- ing of "The Cavell Case," starring Julia Arthur, which was distributed through Select exchanges, the net proceeds from the circulation of which were originally intended to be donated to the United War Work organizations, the signing of the armistice coming before such dona- tion could be made. Mr. Curtiss became so deeply inter- ested in the business of producing mo- tion pictures that he decided to continue in this line of work, and the Curtiss Pic- tures Corporation has just completed "Who's Your Brother?", a feature pro- duction starring Edith Taliaferro which is described as one of the "fewer and better kind." EXHIBITORS HERALD "The Lone Wolfs Daughter" Will Receive Its Premier in Chicago W. W. Hodkinson Selects Alcazar Theatre for First American Showing of J. Parker Read, Jr. 's, New Louise Glaum Picture W. W. Hodkinson Corporation an- nounces the premiere presentation in America of J. Parker Read, Jr.'s, second Louise Glaum special production, "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," at the Alcazar Theatre, Chicago, for two weeks' engage- ment, beginning December 21. This first booking and presentation of the big Louis Joseph Vance story was made by W. C. Dineen, the general manager of the Moir chain of theatres in Illinois, and the first print for the engagement was sent by messenger from the Thomas H. Ince studios in Los Angeles, where Mr. Read's productions are made. The conditions under which Chicago exhibitors were the first in the country to see this big new production were pe- culiar. An executive of the Hodkinson organization going to Chicago for a hur- ried business trip wired ahead that he was bringing a picture in which the big first runs of Chicago undoubtedly would be interested and suggested that these exhibitors be invited for an advance screening on the following day. Contract Closed at Showing Perhaps a dozen of Chicago's leading exhibitor factors with individual houses or circuits accepted an invitation to see a picture whose title, star or producer they did not know until the picture was flashed on the screen. At the conclusion of the showing S. J. Goldman, Hodkin- son Chicago manager, closed his first run contract with Mr. Dineen, who, coming from Canada recently to operate the Moir Theatres, has had a series of conspicuous successes to his credit in ANTONIO MORENO As he appears in hi-, new Vitagraph serial, "The InviNiblc Hand." the Rose, Boston and Alcazar Theatres. "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" is now available for pre-release, protected run engagements in the largest cities and has been booked to date by each first run exhibitor who has seen the picture in the half dozen cities where the prints have arrived for screening. In the Chi- cago territory, with its first opportunity for inspection in a trade showing, book- ing of the first run factors throughout the territory is virtually completed and the volume of business thus far calls for a larger number of prints in simultaneous use in the territory than have ever be- fore worked on a picture distributed in the zone by the Hodkinson organization. Read Is Now Producer J. Parker Read, Jr., assumes a pecu- liarly individual position as a producer in the industry with the appearance of "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," and pre- dicts that for Louise Glaum, its star, it means the doubling of her prestige and popularity. Mr. Read, it is claimed, has achieved an even finer and higher stand- ard than that set by him with his prior production, "Sahara." He believes he has attained a technical standard and an atmosphere that many producers have strived for over a period of years without attaining, has com- pressed within the dimensions of this single production that thing to cause an exhibitor to recognize the producer- ownership of his picture even without a producer's name on the screen. "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" is an- nounced as a "thrilling, colorful story of romance, intrigue and action with its scenes ranging from Buckingham Palace and the temptingly beautiful home of a master criminal to the mysterious depths of the oriental Limehouse district of London." "Fighting Cressy" Jan. 16 "Fighting Cressy," second of Blanche Sweet's series of special productions for Jesse D. Hampton, which started a suc- cessful run at the Broadway theatre, New York, Monday, November 22, will be put in general circulation on January 16th. This date was set during the last week by Pathe Exchange, Inc. New Robin Comedy Ready "Looking for Trouble" is the title of the Rolin Comedy featuring the pint sized comedian, "Snub" Pollard, which will be published by Pathe December 14th. Pollard is supported by Eddie Boland, the "slicker"; Mildred Davis, as his sweetheart; and "Sunshine Sammy," the diminutive colored actor. "The Woman Game" Begun Elaine Hammerstcin, Selznick star, and her company, have arrived in Miami, Florida, ready to begin work on the first scenes of her third Selznick picture, "The Woman Game," written especially for Miss Hammerstein, by Frank Dozey ana Leighton Osmun. PELL, TRENTON Leading man for Viola Dana in the forth- coming Screen Classics, Inc., "The Wil- low Tree," the Cohan and Harris stage success. Film Popularity Helps Alice Brady on Stage Film popularity proved to be a great help to Alice Brady, the 'Realart star, in packing the Plymouth Theatre, Boston, with her stage success, "Forever After." Miss Brady is said to have begun her ninth week engagement in Boston in a very auspicious manner from the box- office point of view, thus proving that the division of her time between stage and screen has brought her fame and popularity on both scores. The Plymouth management lays a large part of this box-office success to Miss Brady's screen following. Before and after each performance the house manager was plied with a thousand questions about Alice Brady, and strangely, not so much about her stage play, as about her next vehicle for the films and when it is scheduled to be pub- lished. Boston film fans are anxious, ac- cording to Boston reports, to see the first work of Miss Brady for the Realart Pic- tures Corporation whose productions have been written about and anticipated in the motion picture columns of the dailies. t Monopol Film Premier Monopol Pictures Company's produc- tion of the popular "Alma Where Do You Live?", with Ruth McTammany and George Larkin in the leading roles, is to have its Broadway premier shortly. The picture is presented in conjunction with a scenic and musical accompani- ment, staged by Max Scheck. Cumberland Screen Debut John Cumberland, well known for his connection with a number of A. H. Woods productions, makes his screen debut in Mrs. Sidney Drew's adaptation of Edna Ferber's story, "The Gay Old Dog," presented by Hobart Henley and distributed by Pathe. 94 Guide to Current Pictures STATE RIGHTS ISSUES SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS AMERICAN FILM COMPANY Distributed Through Pathe Exchanges. "Yvdnne from Paris," five reels, with Mary Miles Minter. "The Tiger Lily/' five reels, with Margarita Fisher. "This Hero Stuff," five reels, with William Russell. FLYING SPECIALS "Six Feet Four," six reels, with William Russell. 'The Hellion," five reels, with Margarita Fisher. "Eve in Exile," seven reels, with Charlotte Walker. ARROW FILM CORPORATION "Vigilantes," seven reels. 'Fool's Gold," six reels, with Mitchell Lewis. "The Law of Nature," with Vincent Coleman. "When the Desert Smiled," five reels, with Neal Hart. "The Mysterious Mr. Browning." five reels, with Walter Miller. "The Profiteer," six parts, with Alma Hanlon. "The Sunset Princess," five parts, with Marjorie Daw. "Miss Arizona," five parts, with Gertrude Bondhill. CHRISTIE COMEDIES "Anybody's Widow." "He Who Hesitates." "A Flirt There Was." "There Goes the Groom." "A Cheerful Liar." "Cupid's Hold-Up." "Lobster Dressing." "Love — In a Hurry." "Reno — All Change." "His Master's Voice." "Home Brew." "Her Bear Escape." "He Married His Wife," two reels, with Edith Roberts. "Wild and Western," two reels, with Fay Tincher. "A Roman Scandal," two reels, with ColleeD Moore. EDUCATIONAL FILMS "The Eagle and the Fawn." "The Passing of the Crow." "A Day and Night at Coney Island." "War Spruce." "The Second Chance." "The 'Why' of a Volcano." EQUITY PICTURES "Eyes of Youth," with Clara Kimball Young. FILM MARKET, INC. "The House Without Children," seven reels, with Richard Travers. FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITORS' CIRCUIT, INC. "Auction of Souls," eight reels. "Sunnyside," three reels, with Charlie Chaplin. "Bill Apperson's Boy," six reels, with Jack Pickford. "Choosing a Wife," six reels. "Burglar by Proxy," five reels with Jack Pickford. "The Hoodlum," five reeU with Mary Pickford. "A Temperamental Wife," five reels, with Constance Talmage. "Her Kingdom of Dreams." five reels, with Anita Stewart. "Back to God's Country." seven reels, with Nell Shipman. "In Wrong." five reels, with Jack Pickford. "The Thunderbolt." with Katherine MacDonald. "The Mind the Paint Girl," with Anita Stewart. "The Virtuous Vamp," with Constance Talmadge. "Heart of the Hills " with Mary Pickford. "The Greatest Question" (D. W. Griffith production). "Daughter of Two Worlds," with Norma Talmadge. "At the Barn," with Constance Talmadge. "In Old Kentucky " with Anita Stewart. "The Beauty Market," with Katherine MacDonald. "The River's End" (Marshall Neilan production). "The Inferior Sex." with Mildred Harris-Chaplin. "A Day's Pleasure," with Charles Chaplin. FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORP. PARAMOUNT-ARTCRAFT PICTURES Oct. 5 — "In Mizzouri." five reels, with Robert Warwick. Oct. 5 — "The Life Line," five reels, Tourneur production. Oct. 12 — "The Lottery Man." five reels, with Wallace Reid. Oct. 13 — "The Grim Game," with Houdini. Oct. 19 — "Why Smith Left Home," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. Oct. 19 — "Sadie Love," five reels, with Billie Burke. Oct. 26 — "His Official Fiancee," five reels, with Vivian Martin. Oct. 26 — "The Teeth of Tiger." with All Star Cast. Oct. 26 — "John Petticoats," five reels, with Wm. S. Hart. Nov. 2 — "Turning the Tables," five reels, with Dorothy Gish. Nov. 2 — "L'Apache," five reels, with Dorothy Dalton. Nov. 9 — "Luck in Pawn." five reels, with Mareuerite Clark. Nov. 9 — "Crooked Straight," five reels, with Chas. Ray. Nov. 9 — "What Every Woman Learns." five reels, with Enid Bennett. Nov. 16 — "Male and Female," six reels, all star cast. Nov. 16 — "231% Hours Leave," five reels, with MacLean and May. Nov. 23 — "The Invisible Bond," five reels, with Irene Castle. Nov. 23 — "It Pays to Advertise," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. Nov. 23 — "The Miracle of Love," five reels. Nov. 30 — "Counterfeit," five reels, with Elsie Ferguson. Nov. 30 — "Scarlet Days" (D. W. Griffith production). Dec. 7 — "An Adventure in Hearts," with Robert Warwick. Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 14 — ' Dec. 14 — ' Dec. 21—' Dec. 21—' Dec. 21—' Dec. 2S— ' Dec. 28— Victory"' (Maurice Tourneur production). •More Deadly Than the Male," with Ethel Clayton. 'Behind the Door" (Ince supervised special). The Cinema Murder" (Cosmopolitan). 'His Wife's Friend." with Dorothy Dalton. 'Hawthorne of the U. S. A.," with Wallace Reid. 'A Girl Named Mary," with Marguerite Clark. •Red Hot Dollars." with Billie Burke. 'Evcrywoman," with All Star Cast. ONE AND TWO REEL COMEDIES Sept. 7 — Arbuckle, "Backstage." Sept. 7 — Briggs. "Skinnj school and Scandal," one reel. Sept. 14 — Sennett, "Back to the Kitchen." two reels. Sept. 14 — Briggs, "Sprise Party N'Everything," one reel. Sept. 21 — Briggs, "A Rainy Day," one reel. Sept. 28 — Briggs, "The Fotygraft Gallery." Oct. 5 — Briggs. "Saturday " Oct. 12— Sennett, "Up in Alf's Place." Oct. 12 — Rriggs. "Secret Society" Oct. 19 — Briggs, "Fire, Fire," one reel. Oct. 26 — Sennett, "Salome vs. Shenandoah," two reels. Oct. 26 — Briggs, "Skinnay's Sick." one reel. Nov. 2 — Briggs, "City Dude," one reel. Nov. 9 — Sennett, "His Last False Step," two reels. Nov. 9— Briggs. "Company." one reel. Nov. 16 — Arbuckle, "The Hayseed," two reels. Nov. 16 — Briggs, "Burglars," one reel. Nov. 23 — Sennett, "Down on the Farm." two reels. Nov. 23 — Briggs, "Before the Circus," one reel. Nov. 30 — Truex, "A Night of the Dub," two reels. Nov. 30 — Briggs, "Before the Circus," one reel. FOX FILM CORPORATION FOX SPECIALS "Checkers," with All Star Cast. "Evangeline," with All Star Cast. "Kathleen Mavourneen," with Theda Bara. "Should a Husband Forgive"? with All Star Cast. WILLIAM FAHXVM SERIES "Wines of the Morning." "Heart Strings." "The Adventurer." "The Daredevil." "The Feud " "The Cyclone." "3 Gold Coins." TOM MIX SERIES FOX ENTERTAINMENTS "The Lincoln Highwayman," with William Russell. "The Devil's Riddle." with Gladys Brockwell. "The Shark," with George Walsh. '•Shod with Fire," with William Russell. "Flames of the Flesh " with Gladys Brockwell. "The Square Shooter," with Buck Jones. ' Tin Pan Alley," with Ray and Fair. "Her Elephant Man " with Shirley Mason. "The Hell Ship," with Madlaine Traverse. SUNSHINE COMEDIES "Back to Nature Girls." "The Roaming Bath Tub." "Chicken a la Cabaret." "Hungry Lions and Tender Hearts." "Sheriff Nell's Comeback." "Her Naughty Wink." "Her Private Husband." "TTer Heart ^natrher." "The Great Nickel Robbery." "A Light Weight Lover." "Training for Husbands." MUTT AND JEFF "Iceland." "Cutting Out His Nonsense." "For Bitter or for Verse." "He Ain't Done Right by Our Nell" (Rural Melo.). "On Strike." "Shaking the Shimmy." "How Dry I Am!" "The Plumbers." "I'm Ringing Your Party"? "Fishing." ' Dead Eye Jeff." "The Sour Violin." "The Mint Spy." "The Rum Runners." "The Chemists." "Putting on the Dog." "The Price of a Good Sneeze." "Chewing Gum Industry." "Berth of a Nation." ' Tn the Movies." "The Pawnbrokers." HARRY GARSON ' The Unpardonable Sis." -ight reels, with BImacke Sweet The Hushed Hour," ive reels, wit* Blanche Sweet. 95 EXHIBITORS HERALD GAYETY COMEDIES Oct. 20 — "Dropped Into Scandal." Oct. 27— "Are Flirts Foolish?" Nov. 3 — "Dark and Cloudy." Nov. 10 — "Hits and Misses." Nov. 17 — "Bride and Gloomy." Nov. 24 — "Love Sick at Sea." GOLDWYN PICTURES CORPORATION GOLDWYN STAR PRODUCTIONS J«ly 8 — "Through the Wrong Door," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. J«ly 87 — "The Peace of Roaring River," six reels, with Pauline Frederick. Aug. 8 — "Upstairs," five reels, with Mabel Normand. Aug. 17 — "Heartsease," five reels, with Tom Moore. "Lord and Lady Algy," six reels, with Tom Moore. "The World and Its Woman," seven reels, with Geraldine Farrar. "The Girl from Outside," seven reels. Rex Beach Special. "Strictly Confidential," five reels, with Madge Kennedy. "Bonds of Love," five reels, with Pauline Frederick. "Almost a Husband," five reels, with Will Rogers. "Jinx," five reels, with Mabel Normand. "The Cup of Fury," five reels, Rupert Hughes Special. GOLDWYN SPECIALS "For the Freedom of the East" (Betzwood), six reels. "The Border Legion," six reels. The Eternal Magdalene," six reels. FORD EDUCATIONAL WEEKLY July 6 — "The Fable of the Olive and the Orange." July 18 — "School Days." July 20 — "Town of Up and Down." July 87 — "Sweetness." CAPITOL COMEDIES July 13 — "Chasing Rainbeaux," two reels, with "Smiling Bill" Parso.w July !7 — "After the Bawl," two reels, with Carter De Haven. Aug. 24 — "Honeymooning," two reels, with Carter De Haven. BENNISON STAR SERIES "Sandy Burke of the U-Bar U," five reels, with Louis ben....*.. . "Speedy Meade," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "The Road Called Straight," five reels, with i^ouis Bennison. "High Pockets," five reels, with Louis Bennison. "Lord Jim," five reels, with Louis Bennison. GOLDWYN-BRAY PICTOGRAPHS Sept. 7 — "The Samoan Follies." Sept. 14 — "Meet Nick Carter." Sept. 21 — "The Uncrowned King of Brazil." Sept. 28 — "Women Fire Fighters." Oct. 5— "Bird Cliff Dwellers." Oct. 12 — "Amazon Trails." Oct. 19 — "Three Men In a Boat and a Turtle." Oct. 26 — "Gold Mining in Heart of a Great City." HALLMARK PICTURES CORP. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love, Honor and ?," five reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Phantom Honeymoon," six reels, with Marguerite Marsh. "The Heart of a Gypsy," five reels, with Florence Billings. "High Speed," five reels, with Edward Earle and Gladys Hulette. SPECIAL PRODUCTIONS "Romance of the Air," seven reels, with Lieut. Bert Hall. "A Woman's Experience," five reels, with Mary Boland. "When My Ship Comes In," five reels, with Jane Grey. 'When a Woman Strikes," five reels, with Ben Wilson. 'The Other Man's Wife," six reels. "Wanted for Murder," six reels, with Elaine Hammerstein. "The Littlest Scout," five reels, with Violet Blackton. "A House Divided," six reels, with Sylvia Bremer. "The Challenge of Chance," seven reels, with Jess Willard. The Rothapfel Unit. CHAPLIN CLASSICS Oct. 5 — "The Floorwalker," with Charles Chaplin. Nov. 16 — "The Fireman," with Charles Chaplin. Dec. 28 — "The Vagabond," with Charles Chaplin. W. W. HODKINSON CORPORATION Distributed through the Pathe Exchange. ARTCO PRODUCTIONS "As a Man Thinks." five reels, with Leah Baird. "The Volcano," six reels, with Leah Baird. "The Capitol." six reels, with Leah Baird. ZANE GREY PICTURES, INC. "Desert Gold," seven reels, with E. K. Lincoln. BENJAMIN B. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS "The Westerners," seven reels, with Roy Stewart. "The Sagebrusher," seven reels, by Emerson Hough. J. PARKER READ, JR., PRODUCTIONS "Sahara," seven reels, with Louise Glaum. DEITRICH-BECK, INC. "The Bandbox," six reels, with Doris Kenyon. ROBERT BRUNTON PRODUCTIONS "A White Man's Chance," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. "The Joyous Liar," five reels, with J. Warren Kerrigan. NATION AL-BILLIE RHODES PRODUCTIONS "The Blue Bonnet." six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Hearts & Masks," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. "Mary Minds Her Business," six reels, with Billie Rhodes. FAMOUS DIRECTORS SERIES "A Dangerous Affair," five reels, with Herbert Rawlinson. "Wit Wins," five reels, with Florence Billings. "Love Honor And?" five reels, with Stuart Holmes and Ellen Cassidy. IVAN FILM PRODUCTIONS "Life or Honor," seven reels, with Leah Baird. MAURICE TOURNEUR PRODUCTIONS "Woman." "My Lady's Garter." 'Broken Butterfly." METRO PICTURE CORPORATION June 2 — "Almost Married," five reels, with May Allison, une 9 — "Some Bride/' five reels, with Viola Dana, une IS— "Fools and Their Money," five reels, with Emmy Wehien June 28 — "One Thing at a Time, O'Day," five reels, with Bert Lytell June 80 — "The Uplifters," five reels, with May Allison. July 7— "God's Outlaw," five reels, with Francis X. Bushman. July 14 — "In His Brother's Place," five reels, with Hale Hamilton. July 81 — "The Microbe," five reels, with Viola Dana. Aug. 4 — "E*sy to Make Money," five reels, with Bert Lytell. Aug. 11 — "A Favor to a Friend," five reels, with Emmy Wehien. Aug. 18 — "The Four Flusher," five reels, with Hale Hamilton. SCREEN CLASSICS, INC., SPECIALS "The Great Romance,'' six reels, with Harold Lockwood. "Shadows of Suspicion," five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "A Man of Honor," five reels, with Harold Lockwood. "The Man Who Stayed at Home." seven reels, with all-star cast. "Lombardi, Ltd.," seven reels, with Bert Lytell. "Please Get Married," six reels, with Viola Dana. "Fair and Warmer," six reels, with May Allison. NAZIMOVA PRODUCTIONS "Toys of Fate/' seven reels, with Nazimova. "Eye for Eye, seven reels, with Nazimova. "Out of the Fog," seven reels, with Nazimova. "The Red Lantern," seven reels, with Nazimova. "The Brat," seven reels, with Nazimova. PATHE EXCHANGE, INC. PATHE SPECIAL FEATURES Aug. II — "The Thirteenth Chair." six reels, with Yvonne Delva. Sept. 14 — "The Virtuous Model, six reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. Sept. 28 — "The Twin Pawns," six reels, with Mae Murray. Dec. 14 — "The A. B. C. of Love," six reels, with Mae Murray. FRANK KEENAN PRODUCTIONS Aug. 17 — "The World Aflame," six reels, with Frank Keenan. ^ept. 21 — "The False Code." five reels, with Frank Keenan. Dec. 7 — "Brothers Divided," five reels, with Frank Keenan. VIRGINIA PEARSON PHOTOPLAYS, INC. June 8 — "The Bishop's Emeralds," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. Oct. 5 — "Impossible Catherine," six reels, with Virginia Pearson. ALBERT CAPELLANI PRODUCTIONS, INC. June 22 — "Oh, Boy I" six reels, with Creighton Hale and June Caprice. Aug. 84 — "The Love Cheat," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale. Oct. 12 — "A Damsel in Distress," five reels, with June Caprice and Creighton Hale Nov. 16 — "The Right to Lie," seven reels, with Dolores Cassinelli. J. STUART BLACKTON PRODUCTIONS Oct. 19 — "The Moonshine Trail," six reels, with Sylvia Breamer and Robt. Gordon. Nov. 30 — "Dawn." six reels, with Sylvia Bremer and Robert Gordon. Jan. 1 — "My Husband's Other Wife," six reels, with Sylvia BYemer and Robert Gordon. J. D. HAMPTON PRODUCTIONS Nov. 9 — "A Woman of Pleasure," seven reels, with Blanche Sweet. Dec. 21 — "The Prince and Betty," five reels, with William Desmond. HOBART HENLEY PRODUCTIONS Nov. 2 — "The Gay Old Dog." six reels, with John Cumberland. EXTRA SELECTED STAR PHOTOPLAYS May 4 — "The Cry of the Weak," five reels, with Fannie Ward. Tune 1 — "All Wrong," five reels, with Bryant Washburn. June 29 — "The Profiteers," five reels, with Fannie Ward. PIONEER FILM CORPORATION "The Boomerang." with Henry B. Walthall. "Virtuous Sinners." REALART PICTURES SPECIAL FEATURES "Soldiers of Fortune" (Dwan), seven reels. "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" (Chautard), six reels. STAR PRODUCTIONS "Anne of Green Gables," six reels, with Mary Miles Minter. "Erstwhile Susan," five reels, with Constance Binney. ROBERTSON-COLE PICTURES SUPERIOR PICTURES Oct. — "Kitty Kelly, M. D.," with Bessie Barriscale. Oct. — "Poor Relations," Brentwood production. Oct. —"The Gray Wolf's Ghost," with H. B. Warner. Nov. — "The Illustrious Prince," with Sessue Hayakawa. Nov. — "The Blue Bandanna," with William Desmond. Nov. — "A Fugitive From Matrimony," with H. B. Warner. Dec. — "Where There's a Will," Brentwood production. Dec. — "Beckoning Roads," with Bessie Barriscale. Dec. — "The Tong Man," with Sessue Hayakawa. Dec. — "The Golden Hope," with Edith Storey. 96 EXHIBITORS HERALD SPECIALS Oct. — "The Open Door," with all star cast. Nov. — (Tourneur). "The Broken Butterfly." Dec. —