Moving Picture World (Dec 1917) - Learn About Movie Posters

1830 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 22, 1917
Tax Brings No Falling Off in Cincinnati
About $30,000 Contributed in War Tax by Theaters In and Near Cincinnati During
November—Patrons Becoming More Discriminating.
Kenneth C. Crain, 307 First Nat'l Bank, Cincinnati o.
CINCINNATI, O.—Theater managers and
moving picture exhibitors have been
busy comparing notes with each other
since December 1, with a view to finding
out, if possible, exactly how the war tax
on admissions has affected business, if at
all. As it is estimated, from figures
gathered from every available source, that
Cincinnatians contributed during November,
the first month in which the tax was
in effect, about $30,000 to Uncle Sam in
this manner, it is obvious that the amount
is in the aggregate substantial, although
it comes in small driblets from the individual.
It is also estimated that of this total
amount about $15,000 came from the
ninety moving-picture houses in and
around Cincinnati, this being the largest
amount from any other amusement, as the
remaining $15,000 or so came from several
sources, such as the legitimate, burlesque
and vaudeville theaters, concerts, prizefights,
etc. The concensus of opinion
among the moving-picture exhibitors is
that the tax has had virtually no effect on
attendance, the downtown houses being
especially emphatic in this view. Throngs
have attended their performances, paying
the pennies required to meet the tax without
objection, and even with cheerfulness,
as reported in these columns when the
tax first 'went into effect. On the other
hand, it is believed that the so-called
legitimate theaters have suffered, in Cincinnati,
as well as elsewhere, on account
of the tax and the economical tendency
caused by the war together. The loss has
come in the attendance at the less meritorious
attractions, the better shows suffering
little or nothing. It is pointed out,
however, that in all probability it is not
so much the tax as the general stimulus
to saving which has had this effect. In
other words, people do not balk at the tax
if they desire to go to the show, but if
they don't care particularly about it they
stay away altogether, and would probably
do so if there were no tax. Judging from
these conclusions on the effect of the tax,
the exhibitors will not lose much business
on account of the war, but the theaters
showing stage attractions will have to
look sharp to the merits of the shows put
on, or suffer accordingly.
New Gifts Has Prosperous Week.
Cincinnati, O.—The first week of the
new Gifts theater, owned by McMahan &
Jackson, proved that the public is going
to support the new house, as, in fact, the
location made certain in advance. The
attractiveness of the Goldwyn "Polly of
the Circus," of course helped things along.
The ten-year lease of the Greater Cincinnati
Amusement Co. on the house was filed
a few days ago, revealing the interesting
fact that a monthly rental of $1,241.66 is
being paid for it.
"Birth of Nation" Comes Back.
Hamilton, O.—The management of the
Jefferson theater made the return engagement
of the great Griffith spectacle, "The
Birth of a Nation," a big event in the city
for its four-day stay. Liberal advertising,
featuring the various interesting points
about the well-known film, kept public
interest at a high point, and attendance
was splendid, in spite of the fact that the
range of prices was from 25 cents to $1.00.
Exchanges Furnish Free Films to Camps.
Cincinnati, O.—Cincinnati film men are
to have the honor of furnishing regularly
film a to the ten moving-picture theaters
run in connection with the Y. M. C. A.
houses at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, O.,
where all of the National Army men from
Ohio are encamped. This, obviously, is
equivalent to providing regular programs
for just ten moving-picture houses of the
ordinary sort, and as the service is to be
furnished free of charge, it is obviously
no light matter. I. Libson, manager of
three of the largest downtown houses in
Cincinnati, and therefore a man familiar
with the work of purveying entertainment
to large numbers of people, was appointed
by R. H. Kirkendall, director of entertainment
at Camp Sherman, to take charge of
the work of getting the film men together
on the matter, and while the plans for the
work have not yet been fully mapped out,
it is certain that the score of exchanges
in Cincinnati will see to it that the Army
boys ar e kept supplied with the best that
there is in pictures. Of course, each film
can be shown in each of the ten theaters
at the camp, but this does not alter the
fact that ten shows have to be kept running.
G.us Sun Promises a 2,000-Seat House
Springfield, O.—Gus Sun, the well-known
theatrical magnate, president of the Gus
Sun Amusement Co., has bought the
Columbia theater property from Lamar
J. Dalie and the Bookwalter estate, and on
the site a handsome theater of three
stories, with a seating capacity of 2,000
persons, will be erected in the spring.
Dayton News
By Paul J. Gray, Alhambra Theater Bldg..
Dayton, O.
Orpheum Theater at Dayton to Remodel.
F)^YTON, O.—The passing of one of the
last so-called small picture houses will
be recorded in Dayton soon after New
Year's, at which time the Orpheum here
will undergo complete remodeling and
also a changed policy. None but the best
of the program features will be played.
John Lyons, who has managed the house
for the last year, has done very well
when one considers that it was his first
attempt at managerial honors. Previous
to the time of Lyons, Homer Guy, who is
now at the Majestic, managed the house.
John happened to be an intimate friend
of the writer, and only a few days ago he
confided that the reason the Orpheum was
not now playing big features in big style
was that he thought at least one house
was wanted for short-length pictures put
over right.
The latest house to change was the
Apollo, directly across the street, and
there, where once programs of short pictures
were always played big films in
really big style are the rule. The Apollo
reopened after renovations with the "Conqueror,"
a Fox picture. One day last week
I dropped into the Apollo and saw as
good business in proportion as any of the
larger houses had—following the "Conqueror"
and the "Spy" came Mae Marsh in
"Sunshine Alley," followed by the "Manxman."
As there had been keen competition betwen
these two houses the wise ones predicted
that the Orpheum would get in all
the old trade of the Apollo. It did get
some of it but this did not alter the
decision of the Orpheum to enlarge. This
leaves the field open to Ben Wheeler at
the Royal, next to the Lyric, which cannot
enlarge.
In an interview John Lyons sta'ted that,
when reopened the Orpheum would have
about eight hundred seats. A new fivethousand-dollar
organ will be installed,
and the best in music will be offered.
As the Columbia and Strand here get
first-run Paramount and Artcraft service,
in order to run this the Orpheum would
have to play it second-run, and it seems
at this time that this may take place.
The writer's best wishes are indeed with
Mr. Lyons, and I hope to see the Orpheum
placed among Dayton's- leading theaters.
L. C. Pollack Becomes Metro Salesman.
Dayton, O.—L. C. Pollack, who recently
opened a branch office of the National
Film Company here, about two weeks ago,
announces that he is to go with Metro as
road salesman for the Ohio district. Mr.
Pollack completed arrangements with W.
C. Bachmeyer, manager of the Cincinnati
exchange, to start Monday, December 3. in
his new capacities. It has not been announced
who will take his place at the
office of the National in the Rauh building
here. Mr. Pollack's many friends regret
to see him leave Dayton and sincerely
hope that he will favor us with a visit in
the near future.
Jake Needham Will Represent Pathe.
Dayton, O.—A newcomer is in our
"midst" in the person of Jake Needham,
and he needs no introduction to many
Dayton exhibitors with whom he is well
acquainted. Jake is to handle the Dayton
Pathe interests, succeeding Paul Allison,
who leaves the Pathe Co.
Two Fox Films Make Good Same Week.
Dayton, O.—The Victoria last week, under
the management of Theodore Chifos,
housed an attraction, "The Honor System,"
that was worthy of the success it attained,
for "The Honor System" pleased
Daytonians by the score and the writer
heard much praise for it. A special orchestra
of eight pieces rendered the musical
program, which helped the picture
wonderfully.
Theodore Chifos has every reason to be
pleased this week for at the recently remodeled
Apollo, his other house, "The Conqueror"
went over wonderfully. This is
the first time in the history of Dayton
that two Fox productions have played to
good business at advanced prices within a
square of each other. Following the engagement
of "The Conqueror" at the
Apollo will come the "Spy" for a week.
J. W. Jackson to Open Athens Theater.
Athens, O.—J. W. Jackson, well known
in the business, is to open the Grand at
Athens, Ohio, which for some time has
been closed.
Interesting Bits Heard Here and There.
Gilbert Burrowes is seen every day at
the Auditorium working hard as ever
and anxiously waiting for the reopening.
Ann Pennington, in the "Antics of Ann,"
was one of the favorites of the last week
at the Strand.
John Lyons, of the Orpheum, has at last
entered the ranks of those who continually
worry about the increasing cost of
gasoline. John is the owner of a new
touring car which speaks of class. A. H.
Shaw, of Mutual, is seen with him constantly
"touring" in search of—excitement.
F. Burr Smith informs us that since the
Apollo, which was formerly the Dayton
stronghold of Bluebird, has changed its
policy that the Ideal here is to play Bluebirds.
R. E. Meyers, who controls the Majestic
and Royal at Chillicothe, says that business
is very good at the present. The
large cantonment camp at Chillicothe helps
business wonderfully.
C. E. Smith, who operates the Star and
Queen theaters in Chillicothe, plays Paramount
and Artcraft pictures.
It seems to be a habit to own a pair of
theaters and the custom is growing.
The Sun theater at Springfield is now
playing Bluebirds.
To prove the Italian war pictures was
a real feature Lefty Miller induced Jimmie
Muir (The Chronicler) of the Dayton News
to print a review of the film. It was a
good move for the News came out the
next day with quite a boost for the picture.
A. L. Kinsler is again in our midst, he
having returned from a week's hunting
trip. Many were the lucky ones in the
Rauh building who received rabbits.