The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-27
An Interesting Chat With Mr. T. S. Aberndt1y, Pioneer
 Promoter of Moving Picture Shows in Birmingham
o get a word in between times.

to get word in between times. This pioneer who has done so much to show the possibilities of this most popu- lar form or amusement in the world to- day, Is rather unresponsive when it comes to his personal side: he thinks only Of his work and how he can make his patrons more comfortable and get the best class of shows that he can secure T went into the moving picture busi- ness when 1t was a jitney proposition" MT. Abernathy said to me casually 'JitLey proposition-just what does that mean?' I asked.
 "A 5-cent proposition" he answered quickly, and in the short time that I have been connected with the business it has increased its price to 10 cents, which argues that is has progressed in quality also. used to be with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, and have always been interested in electrical affa1rs. The picture show, as you know. Is closely related to such things. opened film company in Ensley nine years ago the first of the kind in this part of the country, and remained in it until it was gobbled up by a bigger concern. Of course, the film work I speak of then was not exhibition work. but later went into that I opened the first picture play house in Birmingham, and have added to my business as the amusement has be- come more popular'
 DO you think that the prices which MT. Griffith has asked and generously received for The Birth of a Nation 8 per seat, will ever obtain generality" [ asked.
 NO, do not" was the reply. Not as permanent thing. I believe when The Birth of Nation is exhibited over the country it will probably receive a large patronage at those figures, as Mir. Grif- fifth declares that he will never exhibit il except in theatre that charges those prices, but I do not believe that there will be any material advance in regular picture shows and that is wonderful con- sidering the vast expense that the pro- ducers are put to now in the employment of such stars as Billie Burke for in- stance. who, it is said, will receive s40,O0O for five weeks work and 5000 day for every extra day she is required to work Charlie Chaplin films, belonging to the Essanay people, have advanced in price to four times what they were this time last year, and that is why we have to charge 10 cents for those films The other pictures of this popular favorite remain at the same price, and these we show at the old price of cents"
 Tn your new playhouse, The Strand what will be the advantages over the ether moving picture playhouses,' I asked
 Tn the first place, the building will cost a neat sum, and will seat over 900 people, MT Abernathy said with pride. There will be an organ installed which is now being built especially for 1t, at a cost of s7500O Every up-to-date ap- pointment will be installed and the best pictures will be shown on the screen. I believe Birmingham will be proud of The Strand and that it will be an ornament to the city"
 There is one advantage of a nov ing picture if not other,'' I suggested ''and that is, we always see right here in Birmingham the original company and can't complain of bum actors and &C., tresses being substituted
 MT Abernathy smiled at this facetious- ness and said in the same spirit:
 "Films are released all over the United States on the same day, you know, no complaint can be made as to seeing them the season after they are played in New York; and with that remark excused himself to give directions about some de- tail of the big building now in process of construction. 'sThe Strand" which, with the "Odeon One" and "Odeon Two" will be ably managed by this clever young man.