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

December 22, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1837
From South of Portland.
Albany, Ore.—E. C. Cummings was a
recent visitor in Portland and reports that
his new theater, the Rolfe, in Albany, will
open about December 5. Projection equipment
was installed by the Service Film.
Ashland, Ore.—Mrs. O. T. Bergner is personally
supervising all her theaters in
Southern Oregon and she spends her time
between Ashland and Medford. Mr. Bergner
will return to Ashland about the first
of the year to assist her.
Eugene, Ore.—The Rex theater, A. H.
McDonald, is undergoing its annual decorations
and is adding a number of improvements,
including new foyer glass.
Local Exchanges Get Pathe's Business.
Portland, Ore.—As anticipated by Portland
film men, much of the business formerly
enjoyed by the Portland Pathe office
has gone to the local Portland exchanges,
instead of to Seattle. The local
exchanges are laying claim to a lot of the
old customers the Portland Pathe formerly
had, but George Endert, Seattle
manager for Pathe, denies much loss of
business. Just what loss Pathe will suffer
by withdrawing from Portland cannot
yet be figured, inasmuch as a good
deal of the Pathe business out of Portland
has been done in serials which have
been contracted for.
All Oregon Theaters Will Pay War Tax
Reports Indicate That Few if Any Picture Theaters Will Have to Close Because
War Took Profits—Business Picking Up.
By Abraham Nelson, Majestic Theater lildg.. Portland, Ore.
PORTLAND, ORE.—Rumors that went
forth from Oregon a few weeks ago
that the government might as well take
over the operation of the state's moving
picture theaters right then; because they
would all be ready to close when tax collecting
day came 'round, proved to be all
wrong, because tax collecting day is here
and most of the theaters are still running.
The closing of the few who have
quit has been due to other causes than
the admission tax.
However, all reports from exhibitors
prove that the patrons are not paying
the tax in any case where prices were
boosted to 20 cents November 1, war tax
included. The theaters are paying it out
of their profits, and the profits have shown
a decided slump. The Portland downtown
theaters have found a solution to the problem
of poor business, namely, better pictures,
and for the past week they have
been massing their big pioductions right
along the front line of trenches and have
captured a goodly number of twenty-cent
admissions thereby.
As previously remarked, the isatrons of
Car Men Fight and Theaters Suffer
Twin Cities Have Week of Street Riots—People Fear to Ride on Cars and Stay at
Home—Patronage of Theaters Suffers.
By J. L. Johnston, 719 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—Street-car disturbances—otherwise
known as riots
and Irish confetti bombardments— did
damage to more than city railway rolling
stock and employees the week of Dec. 2.
The street car men, recently partially organized
as a union, were forbidden to
wear their buttons on the cars by the
State Public Safety Committee and, incidentally,
were discharged by the car company.
Following three days of loud talking
there were riots in the streets of St.
Paul and the next day brought riots in
Minneapolis. Home-guard companies kept
people off streets on which the theatergoing
public usually traverse, but the riots
were not exactly quelled.
In St. Paul, Starland, Alhambra, New
Princess, Gem, Blue Mouse, New Palace
and New Majestic theaters suffered. In
Minneapolis, the Wonderland, Dewey,
Star and other Gateway theaters suffered
considerable from the fact that the thrills
provided outside their doors proved more
Interesting than the screened escapades
within. Many downtown Twin City theaters
showed a falling off in patronage,
despite exceptional bills, because people
feared to ride on the street cars. The
street car company estimates that its
losses were 40 men wounded and 500 window
panes bent, while the theaters suffered
from severe attacks of small box
office receipts.
Offerings at Minneapolis downtown theaters
the first half of the week beginning
Dec. 2, and running in opposi' ion to the
street car siege, -were: New Garrick. "The
Garden of Allah"; New Lyric, ' Draft 258";
Strand, "For the Freedom of the World";
New Garden, "Fighting Mad"; New Astor,
"The Sin Woman."
With the Exchange Men.
Minneapolis, Minn.—Alth< ugh no "official"
information has been given out by
any member of the newly-organized exchangemen's
club here, the World correspondent
has discovered that J. R. Levy,
manager of the World Film exchange, is
imperial potentate. A fourth meet of the
clan was held at the World offices Monday
evening, Dec. 3.
Manager Dan Donnelan, of the Mutual
exchange, was best man at his brother's
wedding. Saturday, Dec. 1. Judging from
the fancy duds M. Donnelan wore at the
ceremony as "best man" the groom must
have been attired a la King George. M.
Donnelan's non-taxable smile was much in
evidence.
J. Earle Kemp, of the Westcott exchange,
is due to return from New York,
where he attended a meeting of Allied
Exchangemen recently—Saturday, Dec. 8.
R. C. Fox, former Artcraft manager
here, has gone to Chicago to assume his
duties as assistant to Max Goldstine at
the Chicago Artcraft offices Mr. Fox
was one of the most popular and aggressive
exchangemen in Minneapolis. Before
going to the Artcraft here he was a roadman
for Vitagraph under C. W. Sawin and
Bill Howard and manager of the "Ramona"
department for Elliott and Sherman.
E. A. Westcott Again Fox Manager.
Minneapolis, Minn.— Edward A. Westcott
is the manager of the Minneapolis
Fox exchange. Mr. Westcott was Minneapolis
Fox manager a year and a half
ago. Then he got an idea of organizing
his own exchange and carried it out. The
Peerless exchange was formed and Mutt
and Jeff cartoons contracted for. Mutt
and Jeff made a hit with the public and
started Mr. Westcott's new venture off
with a rush. Later the Peerless became
the Westcott Film Corp. The new firm
bought rights on "Intolerance." "The
Masque of Life." "The Warrior," "A Mormon
Maid," and other productions. Mr.
Westcott recently sold his interests in the
firm to J. Earl Kemp and W. H. Shafer
and returned to the Fox exchange as manager.
Since returning to the Fox office
Mr. Westcott has begun an aggressive
campaign for business, the results of
which are very evident throughout the
Northwest.
Several Changes at the Pathe Office.
Minneapolis, Minn.—Changes have been
taking place in the local Pathe office in
bunches. Berger Tomte, booker, has been
shifted to the Oklahoma City Pathe exchange
and L. A. Samuelson. of the Pathe
exchange. Portland. Ore., has succeeded
him. J. W. Shaivcross, Earle B. Shaw, son
of former Governor Shaw, Iowa: Hal Dickenson
and H. W. Kirk have been added to
the road s