! »»» PREMIERE NUMBER MOTION PH I . IKE TIMES r VOL. I. NO. I. December Fifteenth Nineteen -Nineteen dedication ROM tke rank and file of tke konest and tke amkitious to tke position of power v?kick is tke deserved regard of tkose v?ko kave violated neitker trust nor principle, kas risen LevOis J. Selznick, to wkom tke premiere number of MOTION PICTURE TIMES is dedicated. Against tke tides of time and tke figkting ckances v?kick strong men are proud to engage, Lewis J. Selznick kas keld konor and faitk as tke greatest tkings in life. His friends in particular and tke industry in general kail tkis pioneer of pictures as tke inspirational genius wko kas pointed tke vJay to bigger and better successes tke man wko kas considered tke welfare ; of otkers as tke stepping stone to kis own goal of dominant leaderskip. Lewis J. Selznick stands squarely on performance and deed ! He is tke Man of tke Hour, tke dependable pendulum wkick moves the times! PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY BY MOTION PICTURE TIMES PUBLISHING CO., INC. 729 SEVENTH AVENUE, NEW YORK rjm. ! gy Tke power of personality and tke infinite ckarm of stories taken from tke ckapters of Life itself are among man}) \)alid reasons wk;9 Selznick Pictures CREATE HAPPY HOURS Tke inkerent magnetism and finisked talents of tke screen’s most versatile stars are given brilliant performance in productions always notable for tkeir distinctiveness, realism and genuine keart appeal. Selznick Pictures combine art witk commercial progress and proft 1 : Motion Picture Times Page Three m rvr T 1 N x. a Picture Times Wmbership Pending-Audit Bureau of Girculations Published Semi-£Monthly cBy Correspondents in the principal cities of United States Motion ‘Picture Times 'Publishing Company, Inc. Canada and Foreign Countries Editorial and ‘Business Offices HUNT STROMBERG oAddress all communications to Motion 'Picture Seventh oAvenue, cN^w York 729 Editor Times Publishing Company, Inc. ’e A. L. FEINMAN, cAssociate Editor BEN GRIMM, Feature ‘‘Reviews ANTHONY GABLIK, cArt Editor KATHERINE PORTER, Fan Fodder The Service and Showmanship columns of MOTION PICTURE TIMES are governed by the wholehearted support and intimate counsel of the following leaders in motion picture presentation, who generously consented to serve on an Advisory Committee for the explicit purpose of maintain- ing the highest accuracy in the transmission of news and views on successful showmanship. Jack Eaton, Strand Theatre, New York. Marcus Loew, Loew Enterprises, New York. John H. K;unsky, Kunsky Enterprises, Detroit. Jules Allen, Allen Enterprises, Toronto, Canada. Nathan Ascher, Ascher Brothers, Chicago. , J. G. Johnston, Twin City Amuse. Estate, Minneapolis. Barrett S. McCormick, Circle Theatre, Indianapolis. Tony Sudekum, Crescent Amuse. Co., Nashville. F. W. Buhler, Stanley Company, Philadelphia. George E. Simpson, Regorson Corp., Rochester. Frank Newman, Newman Theatre, Kansas City. Harry Jensen, Jensen & Von Herberg, Seattle. Harry M. Crandall, Crandall Company, Washington. H. C. Farley, New Empire Theatre, Montgomery. Ralph Ruffner, Rialto Theatre, San Francisco. E. O. Weinberg, Strand Theatre, Harold B. Franklin, Shea Hippodrome, Buffalo. Buffalo. Jack Kuhn, Stillman Theatre, Cleveland. J. H. Saenger, Saenger Amusement Co., New Orleans. E. H. Hulsey, Old Mill Theatre, Dallas. George J. Schade, Schade Theatre, Sandusky. Edward A. Zorn, Temple Theatre, Toledo. Sid Grauman, Grauman’s Theatre, Los Angeles. Edward L. Hyman, Strand Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mark Gates, Dayton Theatre Co., Dayton, 0. William Sievers, Grand Central Theatre, St. Louis. J. J. Farren, Rochester Theatre Co., Rochester. X Ross D. Rogers, Dye, Ford & Rogers, Amarillo, Tex. ... Alfred E. Black, Theatre. G. A. Cross, Regent Theatre Co., Battle Creek, Mich. L. D. Joel, Casino Theatre, Jacksonville. H. S. Horater, Alhambra Theatre, Toledo. C. H. Seaman, Consolidated Theatres, Grand Rapids. W. C. Patterson, Criterion Theatre Atlanta. W. W. Freeman, Imperial Theatre, Great Falls, Mont. L. H. Grandjean, Saenger Amusement Co., New Orleans. A. L. Einstein, Stanley Company, Philadelphia. Jake Wells, Colonial Theatre, Richmond, Va. A. B. Cheatham, Ottaway Company, Charlotte, N. C. y N. E. Bernower, Alhambra Theatre, Canton, Ohio. Joseph Marks, Opera House, Clarksburg, W. Va. Thomas Furniss, Brunswick Amuse. Co., Duluth, Mich. F. G. Heller, Meriden Amuse. Co., Anderson, Ind. W. S. McLaren Majestic Theatre , Jackson, Mich. Theodore F. Hays, Strand Theatre, Erie , Pa. W. J. Lytle, Empire Theatre, San Antonio. I. I. Goldsmith, Palace Theatre, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Geo. C. Warner, Ideal Amusement Co., Columbia, S. C. M. E. Comerford, Regent Theatre, Scranton, Pa. NEWSI INANDTHIS NUMBERFEATURESMO. I A Dedication Cover “A Regular Girl” Captures New York. .Page Thirteen Selznick Pictures Announcement Page Two Service and Showmanship. Page Fourteen Exhibitors’ Advisory Board Page Three A Line O’ Type Page Fifteen Topics of the Times Page Four Box-Office Analysis “Piccadilly Jim” ... .Page Sixteen Hitting the High Spots Page Five The Vogue of Olive Thomas Page Seventeen Exhibitors Welcome the Times . ! Page Six Eugene O’Brien’s New Plays Page Eighteen The Proof of Popularity . S .......... .Page Seven Echoes From The Box-Office Page Nineteen National Picture Theatres, IncN. Page Eight Newspaper Cooperative Bureau Page Twenty Lewis J. Selznick Produces Plays .Page Nine The World’s Largest Studios Page Tzventy-one New Republic Announces Plans Page Ten National Advertising Campaign Page Twenty-two Box-Office Analysis “The Country Cousin” .Page Eleven In New York or Oshkosh Page Twenty-three Exploitation Thai Gets the Crowds. ...... .Page Twelve The Scope of Big Business Page Twenty-four ! ! ! Page Four Motion Picture Times -ED ITORIAL PAGE" PICS OF THF TIME 7/w for The Times! Welcome Advisors! , HE advent of MOTION PICTURE N presenting MOTION PICTURE TIMES TIMES into the field of trade journalism for the interest and approval of the industry, is a timely tribute to the persistent progress the Editors extend their straight-from-the- and prosperity which the industry has en- heart thanks and appreciation to those exhibi- joyed since the dawn of the new and higher level in tors who promptly and graciously volunteered their picture producing and presentation. services on the Board of Advisors. Cooperation is the hub around which the wheel of answers the roll MOTION PICTURE TIMES success revolves. Comradeship and implicit faith call with the determined vigor and confidence that in the purpose and performance of others is the one establishes leadership and reflects the dominant spirit unbreakable link which unites and advances. of American enterprise. In joining the honorary advisory committee whose first function is the critical scrutiny of all news and Its editorial and news platform is built on the con- showmanship appearing in MOTION PICTURE crete foundation of independence and broad vision. TIMES, the exhibitors listed on a preceding page Retrospect has no voice in modern times, nor has are rendering a sincere service with the interest of it either place or space in PICTURE MOTION the industry and the betterment of brother-exhibi- victory in Big Business TIMES. Generalship and tors as the sole reward. resources and powerful in- is measured not only by The personnel of the exhibitors’ advisory board is fluence, but by the mental capacity to peer far into an excellent example of the distinctiveness and im- the future and the physical energy and ambition to portance of MOTION PICTURE TIMES. Gen- shape the present according to the requirements of tlemen of position and prestige lend their support the morrow. and counsel only where there is incentive to do so. In welcoming each member of the advisory com- publishers point to PICTURE The MOTION mittee, the Editors also convey their respects and TIMES as the forecast of the future, with its mis- wholehearted appreciation of the rousing reception the sion and purpose definitely designed to mirror accorded by all exhibitors over the announcement of successful showmanship and report the activities publication. which lead to the achievement of profit and progress It is encouraging—a stout stimulant to the fulfil- for those who are alert to the significance of the times. ment of our ideals! * * * * Heads — You Win! Lefs Go! PINIONS may vary on the The Fourth Estate HAT’S the new slogan right and might of prohi- adopted by the Selznick bition, but the motion picture company to stir impulses to de- exhibitor has no cause for com- cisions. plaint—especially if his cellar is Let’s Go! secured and his bank large —To theatres where quality to hold the additional enough rules. profits which are accruing from exhibitors the demise of the “little spot —To who are dis- creet in the selection around the corner.” of subjects. —To houses that observe In every community, motion modern methods in presentation supplanting picture theatres are and accommodation. the well known and familiar place-de-la-cow^wafiow. Men —To the busy thoroughfares where life hums with exhuber- must mingle, but silence is ant anticipation and enjoyment. golden when seated comfortably alongside the opposite sex with Let’s Go ! might be exploited a dashing hero or perfumed as the slogan of all America as well heroine to take one’s mind off as that of a leading com- pany in a leading industry. the more or less annoying sub- ject of the wreath on the door It invites initiative and of the “little spot around the sharpens the appetite for all that corner.” A plain case of tails is tasteful and nourishing in you lose and heads you win Volume One Number One clean, wholesale diversion. Get your share December 15, 1919 Let’s Go! ! ! : ! ! ! Motion Picture Times Page Five HITTING THE HIGH oPOTS Newsy Tidbits Served Fresh While You Wait l He’s a Word Warbler. J. N. Phillips has originated something new Gloria Dawn—Wherizshef in exploitation. Mr. Phillips promises to “tip EBSTER has nothing on Arthur J. SELZNICK sprung a surprise us off” very shortly.